If you’ve checked the Manga Recon blog this week, you may have noticed that we’ve added two new reviewers to the PCS roll.

Carlos Alexandre began writing anime reviews for PopCultureShock in June. Carlos may be a new name for Manga Recon readers, but he’s no stranger to PCS: he wrote an anime colume for Buzzscope, the first incarnation of this website. Our second new reviewer is Ken Haley, who will be joining me and Erin F. in writing about manga. Ken shares Erin’s fondness for the manly man stuff (no word on whether he owns an OBEY CARL HORN button), so expect the body count to rise with each new review. Welcome aboard, Carlos and Ken! Here’s a quick index to their first postings:

• Afro-Samurai: Director’s Cut (reviewed 7/8/07)
• Bleach, Vol. 1 (reviewed 7/30/07)
• Golgo 13, Vols. 1-6 (reviewed 9/5/07)
• MÄR (Märchen Awakens Romance): Gateway to MÄR, Vol. 1 (reviewed 6/22/07)
• Mushi-Shi, Vol. 1 (reviewed 8/20/07)
• Naruto OVA: The Lost Story (reviewed 7/16/07)
• Samurai 7, Vol. 1 (reviewed 9/4/07)

I also thought I’d take this opportunity to plug Erin’s contribution to the most recent issue of Otaku USA, a hefty, six-page review-essay of the Tekkon Kinkreet anime. Buy it, read it, then check out her forthcoming review of the new omnibus edition of the manga, scheduled for release on September 25th.

Finally, I thought I’d remind readers about our Weekly Recon feature. Posted on Sunday evenings, the column lists the manga that will actually be arriving at Midtown Comics on the following Wednesday. It also highlights the most promising new arrivals and offers an assortment of brief reviews perfect for those of us with a touch of the ADD. This week’s column will look at two recent arrivals—Kanna (Go! Comi) and Narration of Love at 17 (NETCOMICS)—as well as the Brave Story novel. Hope you’ll tune in!

Katherine Dacey-Tsuei
Senior Manga Editor