BILLY BAT Vol. 1
by Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki
Available June 2
Kevin Yamagata is a Japanese American cartoonist living in LA in 1949. He's doing numbers with Billy Bat, his animal-themed detective series. But a stray comment makes him realize he may have inadvertently plagiarized his famous character, so he's off to Japan to find Billy Bat's real creator.
What he discovers is far more than a simple case of accidental theft. Amidst the rise of McCarthyism and unrest between Japan and the U.S., Kevin does indeed find the face of Billy Bat: in another artist's manga, scrawled on a pillar, and in an ancient Japanese text. Before long, bodies start piling up, and Kevin finds himself in possession of what appears to be a prophetic manga featuring a character very similar to his own Billy Bat. And as this first volume comes to a close, we get the sense that this strange cartoon creature is much bigger and more important than a character on a page.
Urasawa and Nagasaki's works together are always incredible, and Billy Bat is clearly something special even as early as its first volume. The first two chapters are Yamagata's actual comic book, printed in beautiful full color in the book and really settling the reader into the vibe. The art is wonderfully dissonant, slipping easily between stylized mid-century cartoons and a more settled, faded realism. Projects like these can so easily miss the mark or slide into self-parody, but Billy Bat retains its dark overtones even when the cartoon characters take the page.
While I haven't had the pleasure of reading all 20 volumes in their entirety, I'm excited to do so. This volume alone will sell you on it.
TEA PAIRING: Magical Library Butterbrew
For a story about fiction that's more than it seems, only one blend will do. This is a gorgeous butterscotch black tea that I especially love during cooler months, but it's great at any time of year. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!
FEATURED CANDLE: Space Rock
Maybe it's the scents of driftwood and astral air, hinting at something ancient and unknowable. Or maybe it's a massive spoiler at the end of the final chapter of Volume 1. Either way, this previously-featured candle from Frostbeard makes a perfect pairing. Use my referral code for 20% off more book-inspired candles from Frostbeard!
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