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Bizenghast Volume 1

MSRP: $9.99

PAGES: 192

ISBN: 1-59532-743-6

EAN: 978-1-59532-743-7

ITEM #:

AVAILABLE: NOW

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Volume 5

VIEWS TODAY: 19

VIEWS TOTAL: 36181

POPS: 98

CLIPS: 99

COMMENTS: 98

REVIEWS: 4

Bizenghast Volume 1

Bizenghast Volume 1

Dinah is getting the once-over by the doctor and calls her friend Vincent to bail her out. The doctor doesn't know what to do, but he doesn't turn Vincent away for fear that Dinah will be

Meanwhile, Dinah and Vincent slip away and discover some things they truly wish they hadn't ...

Ever feel like people just don't understand you? Or maybe they just don't see things the way you do? Or that perhaps the restless spirits in their broken-down, forgotten towns don't torment them and try to kill them the way yours do? In that case, I've got just the book for you! Bizenghast is an eerie and engaging tale of Dinah, an orphan on the edge of insanity, and her chivalrous young friend, Vincent—two lonely teens on a mission to bring peace to a mausoleum full of lost souls...and to themselves!

~Aaron Suhr, Editor

Meet Dinah, a disturbed young girl who has been sent to the small town of Bizenghast to live with her aunt following the tragic death of her parents. She is thought by her aunt to have some sort of mental illness, as Dinah believes the house to be haunted. Only Dinah is aware of the restless spirits, which only feeds the doctor's and her aunt's suspicions about Dinah's well-being. The house was a mental hospital, then a school for juvenile delinquents. The ghosts know Dinah can see them and they won't leave her alone. A recluse, she sneaks out with her only friend, Vincent, and together they discover a lost graveyard. There they find a sunken mausoleum, where Dinah reads from a stone engraving. This act binds her to a contract requiring Dinah to release spirits stuck somewhere between an unhappy life and a peaceful afterlife. If she refuses, she will face an eternity of hell. So Dinah begins her quest of "cleaning" the vaults, crypts and graves of lost souls, all the while struggling with the haunts at home and suspicions of her growing mental illness.

Mary Alice LeGrow (aka Marty) spent much of her early childhood in Germany and other parts of Europe and later moved with her family to Connecticut. Much of her work is influenced by a combination of the German language, art and architecture, as well as the ghost stories and legends of New England. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and received a BFA in Sequential Art. She was a runner-up in TOKYOPOP's second Rising Stars Of Manga competition. Marty just turned 23 in 2004, and she isn't upset that you ate the last donut. She didn't want it anyway. Come visit her at www.bizenghast.com.

Dinah
Aged 15, Dinah is a young girl who lives on the outskirts of Bizenghast, an old mill town in New England. Having lost her parents in a car accident at an early age and now cared for by her aunt, Dinah is thought to suffer from schizophrenia and hallucinations. This year, Dinah has finally been allowed to leave the house at intervals under the supervision of her only friend and companion, Vincent. However, Dinah's summer takes a decidedly fiendish turn when she encounters what most people of the town have foolishly sought for decades: an urban legend known as the Sunken Mausoleum.

Vincent
Aged 16, Vincent is the main character's only friend. He has lived in Bizenghast all his life and has accumulated many more friends than Dinah in the neighboring city of Watertown where he attends high school. Vincent collects bicycles as a hobby, often making excursions to other towns on them, and hopes to one day race in the Tour de France. Although he tries to help Dinah cope with her "illness," Vincent remains an enabler who will lie for Dinah to keep her from being taken away to a hospital.

From ForeWord Magazine

In this superb offering, first in a trilogy, the author has combined elements from classic manga with Gothic art and architecture to create a style all her own—full of detail and feeling to match the pathos of her truly Gothic tale. Manga-style big-eyed characters in magnificent Victorian costume populate the pages as Dinah and her friend Vincent try to free the souls of the dead who linger everywhere, it seems...

The author, born in Germany, holds a BFA in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design; she was featured in the publisher's Rising Stars of Manga anthology. Her artwork here is truly extraordinary. Delicate lines, bold black accents, and incredible detail convey magic, emotion, and the ethereal. LeGrow's settings are magnificent, whether ruined, crumbling mansions, woodland glens, underwater grottoes, thin church spires, or weeping angels and tombstones. Costumes are inventive and beautiful, whether lace or brocade or elegant and simple. LeGrow's storytelling is just as inventive and enticing. Readers will be eager for future installments, as much for their eye appeal as for the continuation of the tale.

~Marlene Y. Satter

From Manga Life

Bizenghast is a gothic-horror tale reminiscent in part of the high-adventure tales that are integral to British children's literature. Think The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe meets the original Hans Christian Andersen stories by way of Mary Shelley....

LeGrow carefully sets up the premise for the series. It is very clear that Dinah and Vincent will encounter a new, tragic soul in each chapter of the series, overcome some peril and/or adversity, and see the trapped spirit on their way. While simple, this formula works exceedingly well, and we anticipate the strengthening bond between the pair as the series progresses.

LeGrow's art is very atmospheric and expressive. She pays particular attention to the architecture of Bizenghast and to the costuming of her characters. I'm certain this will be a delight to cosplayers. Initially, Dinah and Vincent's age is somewhat indeterminate; they look very child-like but their reasoning, diction and vocabulary show them to be older than they are illustrated. This confusion is abetted by the fact that Dinah is referred to as an eight year old in the preface text, and nothing in the book indicates that a number of years have passed since the loss of her parents. However, this is a minor quibble, and a closer reading aided this reviewer's poor comprehension skills.

Where Bizenghast can be faulted is in its uneven pacing, which may have contributed to confusion over the plot point described above. Like traditional manga, Bizenghast is a real pager turner in terms of art, but the dialogue has to be read carefully. A number of times I had to skip back pages to make sure I'd taken everything in. I would have preferred a more even pace throughout.

...I am certain Bizenghast will be loved to bits by its core audience. The minor hiccups in storytelling can be overlooked; the book can be regarded as a very solid start to an entertaining series.

~Jason Brice

From IGN Comics

Horror fantasy with a Tim Burton look and feel.
"Readers wanting to get in on the ground floor of the next great fantasy series don't have to look any further.... Bizenghast is by far one of the most interesting manga to come along in some time and one of the few for which I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment."

~KJB

Only registered members can post comments

the art is so pretty , i think i want these xx

LEMONXBERRY

04.27.2008 07:14 AM

I've got all 4 and luv em all!

FANTASIAANZU1

04.25.2008 01:41 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. *inhales the essence*

WANDERINGNOMAD24

04.12.2008 11:11 AM

I'm addicted to this tale. :O Dinah & BaliLali are beautifully drawn as well as other characters && sites in the story. My favorite chapters was the one with the girl that was drowed by her servants && the one with Dinah's friend. I'm sad that Vincent died. ;~;

LYKKWOAHBECKY

04.08.2008 07:18 AM

I'm quite new to manga, but i have to say i loved reading this book! Beautifully drawn, Gripping story. Just left me wanting more! I've just ordered copies 2,3,4 can't wait to carry on with the story!

MISSCONDUCT

04.06.2008 03:50 PM

MISSCONDUCT

04.06.2008 03:49 PM

i lov it!!! ...kinda creepy.. but i lov it! ^.^

CUTIEPIE7

04.02.2008 04:14 PM

i love this manga man she is so freaky lol

SUSY94

03.22.2008 11:41 PM

man!! i won da bizenghast contest so i got da 1st 3 volumes and a rly kewl coloring book! but i want the 4th one!!! cant find it! im pissed its been so long and i want it!!!! cant wait till fifth come out 2!

LILKHMERGURL

03.20.2008 08:42 PM

This was amazing! I can't wait till the fifth book! The Fourth's ending leaves u hanging.

YOGIRL655

03.04.2008 08:39 PM

I love this..I bought the manga series, art book and coloring book.

KRISTYM22

03.03.2008 06:14 PM

i love bizenghast! (has all manga volumes)i really love the art work and story!when does the next one come out?

READSMANGA

02.14.2008 03:18 PM

wow....looks very interesting! I love books about the deceased and things like that.... ^///^

INVADERDEZ77

02.13.2008 04:01 PM

bizenghast is a magnificent series that, in my opinion, changed a genre forever. when i think of gothic fantasy, bizenghast is the first thing to come to mind.

BIZENAULAS

02.12.2008 12:18 PM

I like it but it was kind of creepy, especially when that cute little guy brought in the cleaners. The creaners looked so creepy and corpsy. LeGrow has one disturbing mind, but it would make a good series on fox.

VIEWTIFULJOHNNYTEST

02.09.2008 05:59 AM

I don't what to say except that I love this series.

HEROESFANGIRL66

02.07.2008 06:32 AM

Eerie and touching at the same time. With mix or love, mystery and action for your mind to twist around to will be eager to dive more in this manga.

LINKS2NO

02.05.2008 02:08 PM

Wow, scary...

SNOWFROST

01.26.2008 07:51 AM

wat MIDORIK0124 said actually caught my attention. now i think bout it i agree!

LILKHMERGURL

01.25.2008 04:33 PM

I love the art.

SORINCHA

01.20.2008 06:35 PM

As much as I love this manga, I can't say that I adore it. It's basically a 'monster-of-the-week' series and I can't say I loved it when LeGrow killed Vincent. I hope that it becomes clear who the person was that killed him. Because obviously it's someone that does not want Dinah to fufill the contract.

MIDORIKO0124

01.13.2008 10:41 AM

Bizenghast is amazing Book! Full with suspense, horror, adventure and, mystery.

AUROARA247

01.10.2008 07:23 PM

i agree with vampiregypsy!! i want dinahs waredrobe 2!! she gots amazing cloths! i recently found out the author is working on da 6th book! i think she might be done is jus shes editing it. kool! 2 watch bizenghast manga episodes!! watch a new one every thursday!! n plz enjoy bizenghast!!! [i want all da books!!!!havent bought any but i wont buy vol 1 becuz tokyopop has shown all da chapters in der bizenghast imanga on youtube!!! so vol 1 is down in manga/anime form on youtube.com !]

LILKHMERGURL

01.10.2008 06:47 PM

This is an amazing book! The art is so beautiful and the characters are wonderful. Not to mention I want dinah's wardrobe...

VAMPIREGYPSY

01.08.2008 06:15 PM

i watched it on youtube and its the greatest manga on earth!!!!!1 i want to go to borders and get it *goses and ask mom to go to borders* >o< !_! ^^ *o*

SHIKASGIRL

01.02.2008 09:42 AM

dey have so much of bizenghast vol n chapters out, but most of them r VIP@!!!! n no1 has answered my question..., wat is vip for n how do i be one!!!?!?!??!?!

LILKHMERGURL

12.30.2007 11:54 PM

im despreed! crap after reading the first small chapter i was hooked!!!! amazing!!! i wanna get soon.!!!!!!>.<

LILKHMERGURL

12.30.2007 11:50 PM

my story is i went to the bookstore to get an inuyasha book. when i saw this chick reading bizenghast volume 4. she put it down and i snatched it up and baught bizenghast and inuyasha!

MANGALOVER411

12.29.2007 04:18 PM

Oh my gosh! This is amazing! Dinah and Vincent are just spectacular!!!

CLOUDLOVESMANGA

12.29.2007 11:56 AM

i have already read the first two volumes so far the series is awesome i love it

JAZZYJAZZ1213

12.22.2007 04:28 PM

i love this 1!!!!

ILOVENICKB

12.19.2007 05:53 PM

i wanna get it !!!!! TT.TT

STRAWBERRYLOVE35

12.16.2007 02:41 PM

This series is cool.

REXONNA

12.15.2007 04:37 PM

I've read the first three chapters of this book and noww I want 2 start collecting the series.

GOTHWST

11.28.2007 04:09 PM

I love the story line its very unique...its like a mystery to those how read it

DELIOUS

11.27.2007 08:14 AM

The storyline is quite unique and it's good for an ameri-manga. Nice!

RACKZO

11.23.2007 01:15 AM

I am the biggest bizenghast fan ever because i have everything bizenghast

MISSSIXTYNO1PITATENFAN

11.11.2007 05:50 AM

grewat book! ^_^

DEAFMOUSE

11.08.2007 08:56 PM

I want it....=]]

MAGICXZ

11.05.2007 07:45 PM

yeah, that is my problem too. i don`t want to buy it. that i can do in the shop. actually it is kinda stupid. ok, but about the manga. good one. i really like the art and story is very interesting too.

SHARKLESS

11.03.2007 11:41 AM

i agree with fallingangel!! do i have to buy it? cant i just read the manga here on the net?? help!

KIONGERTZ

10.23.2007 11:21 PM

I very much like this book. But I've noticed some HUGE mistakes in the artwork (unfinished art, sloppiness, etc.), and the story gets very confusing. At some points it seemed like I was reading while I was asleep and I woke up at a part that made no sense. Other than that, for an Ameri-manga, it is great!

MARYJAY

10.21.2007 10:11 AM

I wondered at forst if she was a big fan of Alice in Wonderland. Better! She's a fellow fan of American McGee's Alice! (that explains Edanial's resemblace to the glowing green Cheshire figurines) I swear her art improoves every volume. By volume 3, she seems to have worked out how to draw profiles. The costumes & background art are always sharp, detailed, & exciting. The story gets more interesting too. My first thought at the end of book one was; "well, I'm not sure if I like it yet, but now I'm too curious to stop." By the end of book 2 I was glad & decided to collect the series.

LIKALARUKU

10.16.2007 07:26 PM

kewl ^^ but....how do i read it....or cant i read it without buying it... X/

FALLINGANGELX2U

10.14.2007 03:29 PM

love the art!

SWEETZ

10.09.2007 03:34 PM

I LOVE BIZENGHAST!!!!!!!!

14HINATA14

09.30.2007 12:30 AM

the third volume is awsome

KNOWFLOWER

09.28.2007 08:01 PM

The 4th volume will come out sometime around december if we're lucky.

BIZENAULAS

09.28.2007 11:49 AM

when does the fourth volume comes out, I want to read it sooo badly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARI88

09.24.2007 08:01 AM

when does the fourth volume comes out, I want to read it sooo badly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARI88

09.24.2007 08:01 AM

If the art style doesn't pop off the store shelf then the book should be thrown at you. Her style is refreshingly old school classical Victorian mixed with animie flare. THe best description for its unusual lay-out is old school american comics joined with hard core gothic anime.

AZTCFIRE

09.23.2007 08:11 PM

i seen better i have 1+2 of this

CATBLACKBACK

09.19.2007 02:00 PM

This book is awesome it had me going for hours the graphic are pretty SWEET!!!!

CHUNKYMUNKY15

09.19.2007 10:41 AM

The book was given to me from someone at a tokyopop recon. i read it and i love it. The art is so gothic.

QUEENOFSORROW

09.18.2007 06:33 AM

sweetttttt.

PURPLETIGER12

09.16.2007 07:51 PM

Sounds like my kind of read.

LEILANISANGEL

09.13.2007 05:45 PM

creepy...but somewhat interesting...so where?

WEEOUH

09.12.2007 10:15 PM

wow sounds really cool were can u see it

MAIAN2

09.10.2007 08:39 PM

this book really gives me the creep...

WITTY13

09.10.2007 06:33 AM

wow cool book now i am going to find it and buy it.

KAGOME0123

09.07.2007 03:57 PM

i love it i've been trying to get a copy for ever now at least i'v head it thanks shygirl over and outy

SHYGIRL0012

08.29.2007 12:29 PM

i like the myspace version. i can post it on my profile

HISAKI

08.29.2007 07:52 AM

I wish they would just show the manga instead of the cartoony version they play on myspace. Not that the art isn't amazing, I just don't like the voice actors they chose. I think I'll try and save up some money and buy the actual manga.

PAIGEEVONNE

08.24.2007 12:14 AM

...i love this manga...first i didn't really get it, because i read volume 2 only, but since i've read vol 1, it's made sense...in a weird kind of way...

ROXII

08.23.2007 07:56 PM