In the breakneck-paced world of modern comics, a pair of unquestionable truths have soared to the forefront of reader consciousness. Dog Man now holds the crown as the comic for our times, meanwhile manga and Webtoons (for the uninitiated, those are vertical scroll comics) are being devoured by the masses at record rates. With these facts in hand, the team here at ATC is thrilled to pull back the curtain on our latest endeavour: Beat’s Bizarre Adventure. Each week, we’ll unleash the recommendations of three of our scribes, spotlighting the crème de la crème of book and series offerings from the land of the rising sun, Korea, and beyond. This week features a dash of magical freelancing, a teenage detective with a particular set of talents, and – who could possibly resist – space itself.

Taking Up Arms at the Magical Freelancer’s Guild

Wielded into existence by the deft hand of Birdee Blake and residing across multiple platforms such as Tapas.io, Webtoon, ComicFury, and even Itch.io, The Magical Freelancer’s Guild is a spellbinding experience. Set in the 1920s city-state of Hawkseborough, the tale tracks the exploits of Lana, Luca, and the enigmatic Monty Birch, who all, quite conveniently, have a knack for magic and a penchant to tango with the supernatural in order to keep the wolves from the door.

The early chapters tease us with whispers of the lore of the Magical Freelancer’s Guild and hints at the labyrinthine past of trickster Monty. Yet, it’s the gorgeously rendered creature designs and vibrant coloring that demand your attention and devilishly lure it into the pages. Its strong and willful characters indulge in rich tapestries of backgrounds and scenery, all reinforced by Birdee Blake’s detailed shading and colouration. One word of caution though, the cartoony characters do stand out when compared to the more detailed setting, but as the series progresses, the artist is likely to smooth out these rough edges. Safe to say, with only the barest hint of what is to come, The Magical Freelancer’s Guild is just beginning to flex its enchanting muscles.

Sexy Voice and Robo: Not as Weird as it Sounds

On the surface, the premise of Sexy Voice and Robo may evoke raised eyebrows. A telephone dating service employee with a knack for voices teams up with a man who can’t resist a giant robot toy. It’s a quirky setup, delivered expertly by Iou Kuroda with a unique style marked by heavy brushstrokes and thick lines that flawlessly capture the spirit of Tokyo.

Far from being a piece of exploitative manga, Sexy Voice and Robo expertly side-steps the usual pitfalls and instead gives us a charming and pragmatic protagonist who’s in the same mold as the likes of Encyclopedia Brown. Loaded with expressive and unique aesthetics, Sexy Voice and Robo deserves a spot on your radar, and possibly your heart.

To Terra… and Beyond

Penned and illustrated by Keiko Takemiya, a member of the ‘Year 24 Group’ that revolutionized manga in the 1970s, To Terra… takes us to a future where humanity marches to the drumbeat of machines. Enter Jowy Marcus Shin, a boy who defies the status quo and embarks on a journey that spans decades, from a hapless teenager to the leader of ‘Mu,’ a psychic variant of humanity that is neither tolerated nor acknowledged.

Combining the precise detail of sci-fi and the grandeur of shojo manga, To Terra… is a delightful fusion of Star Trek-esque designs and characters whose emotions saturate the pages around them. With Takemiya’s flawless storytelling, even the machines gain a sinister charcoal edge, making them all the more intriguing.

The future of Beat’s Bizarre Adventure promises exciting comic ventures to come. See you next week!