Comics / Manga

Queens: Volume 1

By Leroy Douresseaux
December 1, 2006 - 16:27

Thanks to barnesandnobles.com for the images.

Pil-Hyun Jung is a pretty boy - an effeminate pretty boy who makes teddy bears.  This teddy boy, however, does like the ladies, and he has his eyes on schoolmate Song-Ah Cha.  Song-Ah, like so many girls at their school, thinks Pil-Hyun is just the cutest thing, but when it comes to manly pretty boys, all the girls are crushing on masculine pretty boy/jock, Gyung-Ju Lee.

Desperate to become more manly, Pil-Hyun seeks the guidance of Bok-Nam Park, the cartoonist behind the multi-volume book series, "How to Escape Being a Pretty Boy."  Pil-Hyun is shocked to learn that Bok-Nam is really a woman, and she doesn't want to be his instructor in the ways of being masculine.  However, Bok-Nam has two roommates, Ah-Yung Sohn and Hyun-Ja Lee, and they also think Pil-Hyun is the cutest thing and also want to help him.  Before long, Bok-Nam's two roommates have made Pil-Hyun their new roommate and forces Bok-Nam to become his "teacher."  But are Ah-Yung and Hyun-Ja really concerned about Pil-Hyun's education or do they want him as plaything?

What distinguishes Queens is page after page of Sung-Hyen Ha's lovely renderings of beautiful people.  Other than a plain Jane or ordinary Joe here and there, Ha presents the world of Queens as the domain of pretty people for whom every day is chance to dress in the latest fashions and styles and to look as if their faces where in a state of perpetual makeover.

The story, however, is quasi-romance novel piffle for female readers.  Although language and innuendo marks Queens as something for older readers, it offers a story that would appeal to younger teens.

5/10

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12