Martin and John Volume 1 (Martin & John) (Paperback)

~ Hee Jung Park (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The boys’ love genre (or yaoi) is gaining popularity among older teen girls, depicting homosexual relationships that seethe with extreme emotion. Martin & John features three tales, the last of which, in addition to more stand-alones, will continue into future volumes. First is a tale of taboo love set in a future where men are owned as pets by other men. Another pair face a breakup as first a girl and then death intrude on their already unorthodox relationship. The last pair of Martin and Johns are featured in the most complex and unusual tale, which tells of a young, aloof musician whose recently deceased father leaves him a most unexpected legacy: a young stepbrother with a mysterious past. The black-and-white art reflects one of the current standard manga types: sharp features and elongated figures that here embody the delicacy of emotions running beneath the surface. That and the high melodrama cloaked in manga hipster cool will please a readership looking for tales of this order. Grades 11-12. --Jesse Karp

Product Description

Three different stories about three different men named Martin and three different men named John…Confused? So are they...about love, relationships and especially their feelings. This collection of stories take place in different places, in different times--all about a man named Martin and a man named John, and the struggle for love between them. Three Martins, three Johns, three emotionally charged stories of family, romance and, well...Martin and John.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1427810184
• ISBN-13: 978-1427810182
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #996,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and unique, August 31, 2008

By	Sherrie M. Newell "Shonaille" (Alberta,Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Translation: Top notch, no spelling errors and the English did not come off stilted or odd. I felt the dialogue flowed very well.
Presentation: Lovely cover with muted colors and the 2 page color insert is fairly nice but I hope to see this trend continued in further volumes and maybe with more colorful art.
Story: I am always on the hunt for manga with BL/shounen-ai/yaoish elements that defies the usual uke and seme tropes or any other stereotypes that can plague manga/manwa. This manwa definitely fits, as it tackles real life issues and makes social commentary while displaying some of the most sensual scenes without explicit sex you can see in a manwa. Basically, this first volume starts with telling the stories of different John's and Martin's, and the trials and tribulations they face together whether as couple or as a family. As usual with this mangaka, the secondary characters are handled with care and the women are real and very much a part of the story without being cloying or crying all the time.
This story is highly recommended and I can't wait for the second volume in November:)