What is Comics Plus?

 Did you know we offer a new service where you can access hundreds of comics, graphic novels and manga that you can read on your computer or web-enabled device? It's called Comics Plus and all you need to access it is a valid library card number. 

To access Comics Plus all you have to do is go to our website, YumaLibrary.org and click on the link for "ebooks and media" and scroll down to "Comics Plus." Then, select the link, enter your library card and PIN numbers and start exploring all the available titles! You can add as many titles as you want to your shelves and read all day long! So what are you waiting for? Go read! NOW!

New Manga at the Library

 Here's a sampling of some of the newer titles available at the library. Come in and check them out today!

Cells at Work! by Akane Shimizu. (Rated "Teen" for violence and blood): Great manga to learn about how your cells run your body! It’s a blood-pumping job! From strep throat, to hay fever, to influenza, the world is dangerous place for a red blood cell trying to get her oxygen deliveries finished! Fortunately, she’s not alone…she’s got a whole human body’s worth of cells ready to help out, especially the white blood cell who seems to be always showing up when she gets into trouble with germs. Other cells, like the buff and brash killer T cells, the nerdy neuron, to the cute little platelets (the tiniest cells in the human body)  has a job they have to do to keep your body running and healthy. Based on the hit anime of the same name, you will enjoy and be educated in a fun way about your human body.

Fly Me to the Moon by Kenjiro Hata. (Rated Older Teen for fan service, sexual situations & conversations, romance drama & mild languag). Based off the hit anime, Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You. Whether he likes it or not, Nasa Yuzaki has felt connected to outer space ever since his parents named him. He is an overachiever and wants to outperform the space program one day, which is his ultimate goal. But his goal veers off course when he meets mysterious girl with strange powers called, Tsukasa. Is she an alien or a moon goddess? Either way, she insists on marrying Nasa and becoming his wife! Nasa will have plenty of chances to find our who she really is since they will be living together. Find out how married life treats these two strangers in this cute new series.

Those Not-So-Sweet Boys by Yoko Nogiri. (Rated "Teen" for teen drama, romance and mild language). From the author of the popular series, Not Your Wolf-Boy & Love in Focus, comes a new romance that fans will enjoy. High schooler, Midori drops her wallet on her first day of high school and cute classmate Ichijo finds it. When he gives back to her, she does not get a chance to thank him as he walks away. Ichijo is part of a tight-knit trio, and Midori finds out that they were suspended from class and have never bothered to come back school after the suspension has been lifted. So, when the chairman of the school board finds out she is working part-time to help her mom out of debt, he tells her it is against school rules, and she could be expelled and lose her scholarship. However, if she gets Ichijo and his friends to come back to school, he will find her a new, school-approved job. It should be a piece of cake, right? Turns out to be a harder task than what she thinks since these not so nice boys could care less! Will Midori succeed and is there a chance that love may blossom?

The Witch and the Beast by Kousuke Satake. (Rated "Older Teen" for violence, blood, witchcraft, mild language, nudity and dark fantasy elements). In this dark fantasy series, meet Ashaf, a soft-spoken and cool headed man who is carrying a mysterious coffin and has an entourage of black crows. His partner, Guideau, is a feral, violent girl with long fangs, eyes of a beast, a hot-headed temper and has quite an appetite. She also carries a secret and is out for revenge on a witch. The ominous pair set travel to a town to defeat a tattooed witch who has put a curse on the townsfolk to convince them she is a hero and make them worship her like a God. But Ashaf and Guidaeu know she is trouble, they live by one creed: “wherever a witch goes, only curses and disasters follow.” This is a dark, mysterious and fairytale-like series, set in world of magic and monsters where the people will do anything to destroy witches. For fans, of Noragami and Clamp’s xxxHolic, this one will sure give you a thrill ride while reading!

What's New in Graphic Novels

 The newest member of the YCLD teen department team, Genesis, tells us what is new for checkout in the world of graphic novels. 

Black Canary: Ignite by Meg Cabot: For fans of DC Comics and anything Gotham City, this origin story is for you! Dinah Lance, a 13-year old middle schooler who's in a rock band with her two best friends spends most of her time practicing to win the upcoming school Battle of the Bands. When she's not rehearsing, she dreams of joining the Gotham City Junior Police Academy so she can make a real difference and solve crimes just like her detective father. But when a dangerous shadow figure begins threatening her friends and family, Dinah has to learn about her mother's secret past and newfound abilities.

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera and Celia Moscote: Fans of Bloom and Spinning will love this queer coming-of-age graphic novel adaptation of Gabby Rivera's best-selling novel. Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving her hometown of the Bronx and heading to Portland, Oregon for a summer internship. But, just before leaving, Juliet comes out to her family, causing a tear in her relationship with her mom. Wondering if her mom will ever speak to her again, Juliet arrives in Portland to meet with Harlowe Brisbane, both her favorite feminist author and the person she'll be interning with. In this new city, Juliet learns what it means to be Puerto Rican, lesbian, and out, even when the rest of the world doesn't understand.

Martian Ghost Centaur by Mat Heagerty and Steph Mided: The Town of Southborough was once a major tourist destination that was said to be the home of the famous sasquatch after multiple sightings of the cryptid over the years. But once sightings of the Sasquatch came to a halt, so did the town's tourism, and with that came financial difficulties for the town and its residents. A tech company by the name of Start-up.com, a start-up that helps people start their own start-ups, decides to take advantage of Southborough's monetary situation and begins buying up various places throughout town to construct a headquarters, in turn pushing out all the local townspeople. Fortunately, Louie O'Connor and her best friend Felix decide they're going to do whatever it takes to drive back tourism while also protecting everything that makes their hometown special. Even if that means creating an elaborate hoax to drive out the Start-up.com takeover.

What if We Were... by Axelle Lenoir: Nathalie and Marie are 17 year old best friends since elementary school who battle boredom by using their imaginations to play a game they invented called "What if We Were...?" The rules are simple: one player names a topic, such as "Vikings" or "vampire slayers," then both players imagine what life would be like as that subject. Easy enough to play, but hard to master. After all these years, Nathalie and Marie are experts as they have mastered how to think outside the box and creatively surprise each other. But what if a new player decided to join the game? And what if she was really hot? Find out if Nathalie and Marie survive the next round without heartbreak in this graphic novel that proves there's nothing better than using your imagination.

New Manga for Checkout!

Can you believe it's already December? The year might be over, but we're not done bringing you new books to check out and love. Here are some of the best new manga titles that have just arrived in our teen rooms around the district and are ready for you to borrow. 

Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi (winner of the 2020 Manga Taisho Award! Rated "Older Teen" for mild language & LGBT themes): Yatora is the perfect high school student, he gets good grades and has a lot of friends. But he finds his life dull, and nothing excites him. One day, he wanders into the art room at school and is captured by the beauty of a lone painting that sparks life into him. He dives head first into learning everything there is about art and even joining the art club. Join Yatora on his new journey as he discovers himself, makes new friends who also have a passion for art and sees the world anew!

Weathering With You - story by Makoto Shinkai (Director of Your Name) and art by Wataru Kubota. (Rated "Teen" for mild language and teenage drama): Based on the breathtaking movie (which you can watch free on our library resource, Hoopla), Hodaka runs away from home during the summer of his first year of high school to Tokyo. Alone and exhausted from traveling, he decides to kill time at local fast food place where he meets Hina who works there. Little does he know, she possess power that affects the weather and not just in Tokyo but the whole world. Hodaka, wants to save Hina and tries to do everything in his power to do so because the love he feels for her. With themes about love and sacrifice, this beautiful and heartfelt story will move you and is a must read for fans of Your Name.

Dramacon: 15th Anniversary 3-in-1 volume Omnibus Edition by Svetlana Chmakova. (Rated "Older Teen" for some foul language, abusive relationship & relationship drama): Join amateur writer Christie at her first comic con! She gets to be in artist alley where she promotes the manga she started with

her artist boyfriend. But as the con goes on, she starts to see and hear how boyfriend treats her terribly. Then a she meets mysterious cosplayer named Matt. She feels more of a connection with Matt than her own boyfriend and starts to fall for Matt. As the two get to know each other the drama unfolds at the con! Will Christie have the courage to tell her boyfriend how she feels about the way he treats her and break it off? And how do you deal with developing feelings for a guy you just met and who lives across the country?  This is a 3-in one complete collection featuring the full manga, and is perfect for anyone who has ever been to a con or has dreamed of going to one. 

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Complete Omnibus Edition- story by Magica Quarter and Art by Hanokage. (Rated "Older Teen" for fantasy violence and fighting, some blood and LGBT themes): When a mysterious transfer student joins her class, Madoka Kaname cannot help but think she has seen this dark-hair girl in her dreams. In her dream she is approach by a cat-like creature who offers the opportunity to make a wish to change destiny. Madoka has always thought that stuff like magic was fantasy… that is until she actually sees the new transfer student transform and fight witches! And the cat-like creature is actually real and is giving her chance to become a magical girl. What will be the cost of having her wish come true, and will Madoka take the offer? Find out in this omnibus manga edition based on the hit anime!

New Manga in November

 Fresh hot new manga series have just arrived at the YCLD and they're ready for you to check out from your nearest branch! Here are four of our favorites!

Fushigi Yugi - Byakko Senki by Yuu Watase: 24 years after the original Fushigi Yugi manga finished its original, massively successful run, we are once again invited to journey into the Universe of the Four Gods. The setting is 1923, and Suzuno's father is the keeper of a very special book: The Universe of the Four Gods, a book which Suzuno has been warned since childhood is only every supposed to be touched by men. But, when a massive earthquake strikes and Suzuno and her father become trapped, dad makes the ultimate decision: to saver his daughter's life by letting her touch the book - and allowing her to be sucked into its pages and into the Universe of the Four Gods. 

Manga Yokai Stories - Ghostly Tales from Japan by Lafcadio Hearn: Ok, yes, we know, Halloween is over, but come on! It's always a good time for a creepy story! This book contains seven different creepy short stories, illustrated in manga form spanning some of the creepiest legends from Japanese history. The illustrations are both beautiful and creepy, and there's something here for fans of all kinds of creepy stories from ghosts, to haunted items and more. 

Sayonara Football by Naoshi Arakawa: Nozomi wants nothing more in the world than to play football (soccer). It's her complete obsession. Unfortunately there are no leagues in her area for girls, and the boys do not ant her on their team. When she finally meets Midori and Sumire, a couple of other female players (who also happen to be bitter cross-town rivals) she sees this as her chance to be accepted and make a team... if she can bring the two rivals together somehow. The problem is, despite her obsession and tough talk, Nozomi is kind of a terrible soccer player, and is constantly kicking goals into her own net! 

Spy X Family by Endo Tatsuya: Twilight is the world's greatest spy, and has just been assigned his most complex mission of all time. Unfortunately for him, the mission requires him to infiltrate a super fancy private school, which means Twilight needs a family, so he can have a child to enroll in the school. At the world's shadiest orphanage, Twilight finds a little girl named Anya, who he figures will do just fine. What he doesn't know is that Anya is actually psychic and can read his mind, so she knows exactly what he's up to, and thinks she's the luckiest kid alive to be adopted by a real-life spy. When Twilight meets shy, unassuming Yor he figures he has also found himself the perfect fake wife... except for the fact that Yor is the world's deadliest assassin. No one realizes this except mind-reader Anya though, and stuff starts to get SUPER weird and SUPER fun!

New Manga For Checkout!

We have new manga in the house!! Here's a look at some of the titles that have just arrived in the library that  you can place on hold and pick up through Curbside Pickup at your nearest branch.

Prince Freya by Keiko Ishihara. (Rated "older teen" for violence and blood shed): Fans of Yona of the Dawn, Snow White With Red Hair and Dawn of the Arcana will enjoy this new shojo, medieval, western fantasy. Freya only thinks of herself as a simple village girl until one day her idyllic life is shattered when she is caught up in the aftermath of treacherous Sigurdian plot. Not only that, but two brothers she is close friends with are also caught up in this plot and they will do anything to keep Freya safe. Entering the place secretly, Freya runs into her country’s beloved Prince Edvard, to whom Freya bears a striking resemblance. As Freya tries to help the dying the prince, he asks her to take his place and continue running his kingdom and keeping up his façade so that the country's enemies will not know they have succeeded in assassinating him. She now must lead his valiant knights in defending their realm before a war breaks out with a neighboring kingdom! Wil Freya be able to convince the king’s court and her kingdom that she is the strong and persuasive Prince Edvard as time goes on? Find out in this adventurous and drama-filled medieval inspired manga series!

Not Your Idol by Aoi Makino. (Rated "older teen" for scenes of assault, suggestive comments towards women, and frightening scenes including PTSD) *CW: this manga discusses topics of assault and sexual assault, reader discretion is advised*

In this psychological suspense series, Nina Kamiyama is an idol in the famous group called Pure Club. One night, at an after show fan meet and greet, a fan assaults her with a knife. Because of this, she quits the idol group, shuns her femininity and starts dressing as a boy. She transfers to a new high school and tries to keep to herself, but when her fellow classmate Hikaru Horiuchi realizes who she is, can he keep her secret? On top of that, Nina has to still keep an eye out for her stalker fan who assaulted her, while dealing with the school's resident "mean girls"! Find out what happens in this shocking, fast-paced drama series.

Wandering Witch by Jougi Shiraishi and Itsuki Nanao. (Rated "teen" for fantasy elements): Elaina has always read books about magic and adventure as a little girl. Her dream was to follow in the footsteps of a witch named Nique whom she idolized and live a life of travel. Elaine is now a full-fledged witch herself, and she sets off on her dream journey planning to travel to many destinations! With each new place she visits and new people she meets, Elaine’s world grows a little richer and she learns many new things along the way, including finding new friendships and helping people she didn’t think she would.

The Rose of Versailles by Riyoko Ikeda (rated "teen" for mild violence): *Fun fact: This is the first time that this classic shojo manga has ever been published in the USA!* For fans of  shojo manga comes the classic from the well-known author who helped create the shojo genre! During the French Revolution, Oscar Francois de Jarjeyes is young noblewoman who is raised as a son by her father. She is commander of Queen Marie Antoinette’s palace guard and is brought to King Louis XVI’s luxurious court at Versailles. The more time she spends at the court of Versailles, the more she gets to known Queen Marie Antoinette and also the goings-on of the impoverished French citizens are being treated unfairly. Oscar becomes torn between wanting to be loyal to the Queen while also wanting to help poor French citizens. On top of this, she wants to live a life of still being in the militia, but also wants to be regular girl and fall in love. Join Oscar on her drama-filled life to find out what happens! *Fun fact #2 - this manga was the inspiration for another all-time classic: Revolutionary Girl Utena*

New Graphic Novel Roundup

 We have a fresh batch of manga and graphic novels that has just arrived, and is ready for you to request through Curbside Pickup from any of our participating branches. Here are some of the highlights of what we have just received. (Click the covers or book titles to place the books on hold today!)

Last Pick by Jason Walz: In this new dystopian, science fiction Trilogy series, Aliens invaded earth three years ago and abducted people who were deemed "useful." The only ones spared were those who were either too young, too old, or considered too “disabled” to be of value. Living under the aliens authoritative rule, the aliens do not see the human rejects as threat…until twins Sam and Wyatt start a revolution to fight against them! Find out what happens in this action-packed graphic filled with relatable characters and great world-building.

The PLAIN Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg: For teens who have a passion for art, this one is for you! After a horrific terrorist attack, artsy misfit Jane Beckles is forced to move to a small town and leave everything she loves about the bit city behind. At her new school she surprisingly finds where she belongs: the reject table in the cafeteria along with three other girls: Brain Jayne, Theater Jane, and sporty Polly Jane. The girls become fast friends united by their shared name and their frustrations with the adults that surround them. The girls start a secret club dedicated to fighting suburban apathy with fun, guerrilla works of art (like putting bubbles in the town fountain). For Jane Beckles, this movement is to prove to herself that she is not going to let fear run her life like it has her parents. Armed with her sketchbook and a mission of resistant, The PLAIN Janes are out to prove that passion, bravery, and a group of great friends can save anyone in their high school. (This is an omnibus edition that included the previously published The PLAIN Janes, Janes in Love and a never-before released 3rd volume Janes Attack Back)

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju and Ryan Estrada: This true story is based on the author’s real-life experience of joining a secret high school club which read books banned by South Korea’s Fifth Republic in 1983. During this time, the military regime held power through censorship, torture and murder.  Kim finds solace and refuge from the violence through reading books. Approached by the handsome young school editor of the newspaper, to join a reading group, Kim thinks she is going to discuss favorite classic literature like Moby Dick or Hamlet. Instead, she finds herself hiding in the school basement as the youngest member of a banned book club, and finds a thrill and joy in reading illicit literature that are quickly overshadowed by fear and violence.

Blackbird: Book 1 The Great Beast by Sam Humphries and art by Jen Bartel: Nina Rodriguez has always known about a hidden magical world in Los Angeles that is run by ruthless "cabals" - secret political groups. When a giant beast crosses over from the magical world into her "normal" L.A. and kidnaps Nina’s sister, Nina must confront her past (and her own personal demons) to get her sister back and to reclaim her life. This series is perfect for fans of Riverdale and those who love magical, fantasy worlds.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman: Fans of Love, Simon, this one is for you! Charlie and Nick go to the same school, but they’ve never met until the day comes when they are forced to sit together at their strict British school for boys. They become fast friends, and soon, openly gay Charlie finds himself falling in love with Nick but he doesn’t think he has shot with the tough rugby player. Little does Charlie know, Nick is interested in him too! This cute LGBT+ graphic novel about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness tells a realistic and relatable story everyone can enjoy reading.

What's New at the Library for August: Manga Edition!

Yes, we are still getting new books into the library, and yes, you CAN check out new manga through our Curbside Pickup service. Just put items on hold using our app or website or call us to have a staff member put the books on hold for you. We'll let you know when they are ready for pickup and you get something great to read with very little hassle. Here are some of the new Manga series we just received we think you will like!

Goodbye My Rose Garden by Dr. Pepperco: It is the early 1900's and Hanako dreams of being a novelist. To do this, she decides to move to England. However, when her dreams of being a writer fail, she takes a job as a maid to a rich family to make ends meet. Things take a bizarre turn when the daughter of the family, Alice, asks Hanako to kill her. Struggling to find out why Alice would ask for such a terrible favor, Hanako begins to really get to know Alice, and the two develop and unbreakable bond.

Wonderland by Yugo Ishikawa: Shrinking to a tiny size sounded fun when Alice did it in Wonderland... but when it happens to Yukko in real life she realizes it's not fun at all. In fact it's incredibly dangerous! As she struggles to hide from all the predators that now think Yukko would make a delicious snack, she unexpectedly finds out she is not the only person who has recently become tiny, and sets out to learn why this happened, and how she can fix it. 

BL Metamorphosis by Kaori Tsurutani: Ichinoi is a 75 year old woman who just wanted something light to read. When she discovers she has accidentally purchased a "boys love" (LGBT+) manga, she realizes she actually really enjoys what she is reading. When she returns to the book store to get volume 2, she strikes up a friendship with the teenage store clerk, Urara, a massive BL fangirl! Despite the huge difference in their ages, Ichinoi and Urara bond over their reading, and a very unlikely friendship soon blossoms. 

Kuma Kuma Kuma  Bear by Kumanano: In this fun comedy and video game inspired manga, 15-year-old Yuna is a video game addict shut-in. She funds her carefree lifestyle by playing the stock market and spends every moment playing her favorite virtual reality massive multiplayer online game: World Fantasy

Online. When the game gets a new update, Yuna receives a super cute bear onesie that is super overpowered! However, there is no way Yuna would ever wear or play with this embarrassing outfit. But when she is sucked into a new world in real life she doesn’t have choice but fight in the bear costume! Join Yuna on her new video game adventure in this new adorable manga that fans of Sword Art Online will love.

Love Me, Love Me Not by Io Sakisaka: From the author of Ao Haru Ride, comes a new series about two teen girls’ different perspectives on love. Yuna and Akari become fast friends when they meet each other in their apartment building. However, the two are complete opposites-Yuna is an idealist, while Akari is a realist and this makes their views on love complex because neither of them understand each other. Things get even more complicated when lady-killer Rio and the oblivious Kazuomi enter the girls lives and their friendship is tested. Can their friendship survive? Find out in this shojo series about young love.

All these new series plus many more are now available at your nearest branch through Curbside Pickup. Call today to place holds on your favorites. Don't forget, Heritage Library is not currently participating in Curbside Pickup.

2020 Eisner Awards Announced

San Diego Comic-Con is not happening in person this year, but it's still going on virtually, and one of the highlights of the convention is always the announcement of the winner of the year's Will Eisner Awards. The Eisner is the award given to the year's best comics, and it's the most prestigious award in the comic book and graphic novel industry. So, we thought we would share with you some of this year's winners (and also some of the other great nominees) we think you might be interested in checking out from YCLD!

Best Publication for Kids:
Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Other nominees in the category:

          

     

Best Publication for Teens:
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki

Other nominees in the category:

     

      


Many of these titles are now available for checkout at your nearest branch for curbside pickup or for download through Hoopla Digital and Overdrive, so check them out today!