tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17768406977851788402024-03-07T22:39:31.475-08:00AdamcallawayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734395187738495591noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776840697785178840.post-78676827382577844352013-04-17T05:19:00.001-07:002013-04-17T05:19:22.655-07:00Paranatural by Zack Morrison<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;">READ PARANATURAL</b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is one of my Favorite Things. I found it via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1776840697785178840" target="_blank">io9</a>, and read straight through the archive in three hours, laughing through bleary-eyes as the tears wouldn't stop flowing.<br /><br />The
story centers around Max, a middle school boy who -- with his father
and sister -- moved back to his hometown to open a convenience store.
Besides the absence of a mother (it is hinted that she passed away) the
family is loving and quirky. Max tries to act cynical and cool, but he
is quick to panic and look for points to anchor himself to reality. As
the story progresses, the cynic and the panic start to merge into one
hyperactive amalgam of emotion.<br /><br />Max beings to notice strange
things in the town of Mayview: translucent purple flying squid, full
body apparitions, giant koi fish. Initially, he tries to convince
himself he's hallucinating. However, once at Mayview school, the answers
become clear to him: he is a Spectral. Spectral's keep both physical
reality and the reality where spirits and souls exist safe. This is
something that I haven't seen before. Unlike much fiction that deals
with spirits, Paranatural doesn't center itself around ridding the world
of all spirits, nor does it assert that physical reality is superior to
metaphysical reality, or the other way around. The Spectrals protect
humans and ghosts alike.<br /><br />Paranatural is one of the most charming
and funny webcomics I've ever read. Max is a wonderful protagonist whose
mouth often gets him into trouble. The supporting cast -- the aloof Mr.
Splendor, the conflicted Isaac, the rough Isabel -- shed light on Max's
character while having their own clear goals and desires. These deep
types of characters are rarely seen in the best fiction, let alone the
limited prosaic space of a webcomic. It has a wonderfully unique
afterlife mythos, and the "kids with powers" trope is utilized to full
potential.<br /><br />Something I noticed was its distinct manga flavor. To
me, it reads like an American manga. Like a less angsty, quicker, more
surreal Bleach. I say this as a good thing, and Bleach is by far my
favorite manga/anime. The actual art style is very bright, and
exaggerated in just the right ways. The jokes are wacky, hilarious. It's
a story that doesn't take itself too seriously, and because of that,
the story shines through and you see the depth beyond the entertainment.<br /><br />Currently, Paranatural is only on chapter three, so it's a good time to start reading. Go forth and enjoy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734395187738495591noreply@blogger.com0