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Bizenghast #2
Bizenghast, Volume 2
Not every lost soul is a lost cause.
Armed with the first of the four tower guards, Dinah and vincent set out to solve the rest of the Mausoleum's riddles, which prove more difficult as the journey progresses. But is Edaniel a help or a hindrance? Between traveling through Bizenghast's early past to rid the woods of a festering plague-carrier, attempting to cheat the Mausoleum out of its contract, and dealing with the vicious ghosts of bratty children, the pair will have to find their own hidden strengths before reaching their next goal, and the mysterious second tower guard, Edrear.
Armed with the first of the four tower guards, Dinah and vincent set out to solve the rest of the Mausoleum's riddles, which prove more difficult as the journey progresses. But is Edaniel a help or a hindrance? Between traveling through Bizenghast's early past to rid the woods of a festering plague-carrier, attempting to cheat the Mausoleum out of its contract, and dealing with the vicious ghosts of bratty children, the pair will have to find their own hidden strengths before reaching their next goal, and the mysterious second tower guard, Edrear.
185 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2006
20 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
M. Alice LeGrow
34 books145 followersM. Alice LeGrow is a female manga-influenced alternate comic book artist best known for her original English-language manga series Bizenghast. From the Savannah College of Art and Design, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sequential Art.
As a young girl, Mary Alice LeGrow was not interested in comics since she grew up in Weisbaden, Germany where comics were not readily available. In her freshman year of high school, she discovered comics and anime. She enjoyed manga because it was not "the regular colorful spandex superhero fare". She heard about Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga competition from a friend at the 2003 Otakon, an anime convention in Baltimore, Maryland. On the drive from the convention and with eleven days before the deadline, she chose a short story she had written named "Nikolai", because of its "simple but engaging plot that had a definite start and finish." She renamed the main character, Sally Notch, after a road sign called "Notch Road" and based her character design on a model in a Gothic & Lolita Bible. Because the story was ten pages longer than the twenty-page limit, she rewrote it and also altered Sally's hair and clothes "to make her more interesting". "Nikolai" won a runner-up place in the competition and was published in the 2003 Rising Stars of Manga anthology. Along with a monetary prize, LeGrow won a chance to potientally have a manga series published by Tokyopop. The editors liked the series she proposed, Bizenghast, and she became the second Rising Stars of Manga winner to have a manga series published by Tokyopop.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As a young girl, Mary Alice LeGrow was not interested in comics since she grew up in Weisbaden, Germany where comics were not readily available. In her freshman year of high school, she discovered comics and anime. She enjoyed manga because it was not "the regular colorful spandex superhero fare". She heard about Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga competition from a friend at the 2003 Otakon, an anime convention in Baltimore, Maryland. On the drive from the convention and with eleven days before the deadline, she chose a short story she had written named "Nikolai", because of its "simple but engaging plot that had a definite start and finish." She renamed the main character, Sally Notch, after a road sign called "Notch Road" and based her character design on a model in a Gothic & Lolita Bible. Because the story was ten pages longer than the twenty-page limit, she rewrote it and also altered Sally's hair and clothes "to make her more interesting". "Nikolai" won a runner-up place in the competition and was published in the 2003 Rising Stars of Manga anthology. Along with a monetary prize, LeGrow won a chance to potientally have a manga series published by Tokyopop. The editors liked the series she proposed, Bizenghast, and she became the second Rising Stars of Manga winner to have a manga series published by Tokyopop.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
September 20, 2024
This is a weird one. I think this is the first GN or manga, or anything really, that I've felt conflicted about whether to give it two or three stars. Giving it the same rating as I did the first one, which had a good number of weak points, feels unfair since there was a lot of improvement in the meantime. Let's call it the difference between 1.5 rounded up, and 2.5 rounded down, for now.
I was genuinely pleased to see that art and panel flow were both much improved! :) Genuine effort was put into making sure the reader could distinguish foreground from background elements, and everything was much less cluttered and easier to parse. The last chapter (more on this shortly) was a nice way for LeGrow to show off her ability to pull off a vivid action sequence. Still loving the gothic-Lolita vibe of the costumes for Dinah--and, sure, Vincent, though I don't see as much effort expended there. Unfortunately, the linework and hatching still looks really sloppy. Characters in the midground showed little effort toward making them look good, or even okay, tbh.
Dinah and Vincent were pretty empty as characters in the first volume, both in their expressions and their emotions. I'm not convinced that their turning into cynical brats was an improvement. "We're just, um, here to help you! And stuff like that." Do you care about your mission, or not? Sniping isn't rebellion.
The first sequence in this volume, where the setting of the spirit rescue melded with Dinah's memories, was nicely done. I would have liked it a lot more if Vincent's sequence right afterwards had worked the same way. Vincent's a cipher to me, even more so than Dinah. He seems reluctant to stick his neck out at times, and in the last chapter he did more harm than good. I'm not saying he needs to be the perfect partner, but characterization doesn't seem to be a strong point with this series, and I'm not having an easy time seeing what his motivations are.
Author's notes aren't part of the story . . . or are they? In her author's note for the first volume of Bizenghast, LeGrow basically says, if you can't do cosplay for Dinah properly, don't bother. This chafed at me, mostly because she was obviously finding her feet as an artist herself. Her demanding that fans be at a pro level if they wanted to create a fanwork was high-handed and unfair. Careers in art start with love. The polish comes later.
The author's note in this volume has a much mellower, encouraging, and chatty tone, emphasizing her love for the cosplayer's art. The photos in this volume show some nice cosplay of LeGrow's own designs, though they're well before the era of easy decent photography, and show it.
I was genuinely pleased to see that art and panel flow were both much improved! :) Genuine effort was put into making sure the reader could distinguish foreground from background elements, and everything was much less cluttered and easier to parse. The last chapter (more on this shortly) was a nice way for LeGrow to show off her ability to pull off a vivid action sequence. Still loving the gothic-Lolita vibe of the costumes for Dinah--and, sure, Vincent, though I don't see as much effort expended there. Unfortunately, the linework and hatching still looks really sloppy. Characters in the midground showed little effort toward making them look good, or even okay, tbh.
Dinah and Vincent were pretty empty as characters in the first volume, both in their expressions and their emotions. I'm not convinced that their turning into cynical brats was an improvement. "We're just, um, here to help you! And stuff like that." Do you care about your mission, or not? Sniping isn't rebellion.
The first sequence in this volume, where the setting of the spirit rescue melded with Dinah's memories, was nicely done. I would have liked it a lot more if Vincent's sequence right afterwards had worked the same way. Vincent's a cipher to me, even more so than Dinah. He seems reluctant to stick his neck out at times, and in the last chapter he did more harm than good. I'm not saying he needs to be the perfect partner, but characterization doesn't seem to be a strong point with this series, and I'm not having an easy time seeing what his motivations are.
Author's notes aren't part of the story . . . or are they? In her author's note for the first volume of Bizenghast, LeGrow basically says, if you can't do cosplay for Dinah properly, don't bother. This chafed at me, mostly because she was obviously finding her feet as an artist herself. Her demanding that fans be at a pro level if they wanted to create a fanwork was high-handed and unfair. Careers in art start with love. The polish comes later.
The author's note in this volume has a much mellower, encouraging, and chatty tone, emphasizing her love for the cosplayer's art. The photos in this volume show some nice cosplay of LeGrow's own designs, though they're well before the era of easy decent photography, and show it.
January 27, 2017
I am still curious enough to proceed with this series for now. The artwork still impresses and I feel it is improving.
You can find my review here.
You can find my review here.
March 18, 2017
Summary:
Upon discovering a mysterious key in a crypt, Dinah is contracted with the job to solve the riddles and horrors of the past lives of lost and trapped souls, if she fails to free them, she will become one of them. Dinah and Vincent continue to solve the riddles of the Mausoleum in order to enter into the world of the undead and solve the mysteries and unfinished business of the lost souls' pasts. The deeper the two delve into the depths of the Mausoleum, the more restless and angrier the trapped souls become. Luckily, the two have unlocked one of the guardians of the Mausoleum, Edaniel whose duty is to keep the souls in check. Although a bit mischievous and selfish, Edaniel helps them navigate through the realm of the lost souls and even provides a magical potion to save the children. If each soul is to become more and more restless or angrier, what greater mysteries or dangers will the three have to face in order to fulfill the contract and be free of this retched place?
My Rating: 2.3 stars
My Thoughts:
While the stories of the lost souls are rather imaginative and the artwork is quite rich and detailed, I found this volume to have some major flaws. The three main problems I have with this particular volume in the series is that the stories moved too fast, there were some parts that were extremely confusing and Dinah is not a very reliable, believable or likeable character.
Now I know this sounds very negative and even bias, there is actual evidence from the volume that solidifies and provides evidence to my arguments.
The other issue I would like to clarify is that in the beginning of the series Dinah is being evaluated for insanity due to her paranoia and affinity with ghosts. I am pretty positive that the reader is supposed to feel sympathy for Dinah because we 'know' she isn't crazy and has been through very traumatic events with the death of her parents and her ability to see ghosts, but then we learn about the pickled head and that she "wants to steal the pickled head." I had a really hard time feeling bad for her almost being committed when she seems terrified of grotesque things but then the next minute actually wants this disgusting head. It just seems like what she is telling us clashes with how she actually acts. I don't know if this is just poor writing, or if it is ingenious because it makes her more unreliable and maybe it is a clue that she actually is insane and this is all in her mind? I mean if I knew more about the character and that she actually is morbid and likes dead things (some people do I guess) then that would be ok, but she acts terrified of ghosts and doesn't seem to like them at all. Something is just really amiss here.
To end on a positive note, what I can appreciate or admire about this volume is that the riddles seem to become more and more complicated and I love Edaniel because he provides some good and very much needed comic relief in a world that is very disturbing.
Upon discovering a mysterious key in a crypt, Dinah is contracted with the job to solve the riddles and horrors of the past lives of lost and trapped souls, if she fails to free them, she will become one of them. Dinah and Vincent continue to solve the riddles of the Mausoleum in order to enter into the world of the undead and solve the mysteries and unfinished business of the lost souls' pasts. The deeper the two delve into the depths of the Mausoleum, the more restless and angrier the trapped souls become. Luckily, the two have unlocked one of the guardians of the Mausoleum, Edaniel whose duty is to keep the souls in check. Although a bit mischievous and selfish, Edaniel helps them navigate through the realm of the lost souls and even provides a magical potion to save the children. If each soul is to become more and more restless or angrier, what greater mysteries or dangers will the three have to face in order to fulfill the contract and be free of this retched place?
My Rating: 2.3 stars
My Thoughts:
While the stories of the lost souls are rather imaginative and the artwork is quite rich and detailed, I found this volume to have some major flaws. The three main problems I have with this particular volume in the series is that the stories moved too fast, there were some parts that were extremely confusing and Dinah is not a very reliable, believable or likeable character.
Now I know this sounds very negative and even bias, there is actual evidence from the volume that solidifies and provides evidence to my arguments.
The other issue I would like to clarify is that in the beginning of the series Dinah is being evaluated for insanity due to her paranoia and affinity with ghosts. I am pretty positive that the reader is supposed to feel sympathy for Dinah because we 'know' she isn't crazy and has been through very traumatic events with the death of her parents and her ability to see ghosts, but then we learn about the pickled head and that she "wants to steal the pickled head." I had a really hard time feeling bad for her almost being committed when she seems terrified of grotesque things but then the next minute actually wants this disgusting head. It just seems like what she is telling us clashes with how she actually acts. I don't know if this is just poor writing, or if it is ingenious because it makes her more unreliable and maybe it is a clue that she actually is insane and this is all in her mind? I mean if I knew more about the character and that she actually is morbid and likes dead things (some people do I guess) then that would be ok, but she acts terrified of ghosts and doesn't seem to like them at all. Something is just really amiss here.
To end on a positive note, what I can appreciate or admire about this volume is that the riddles seem to become more and more complicated and I love Edaniel because he provides some good and very much needed comic relief in a world that is very disturbing.
October 25, 2017
It was better than the first volume but it still has a long way to go. as well as a better story, it indeed had better graphics.
March 8, 2020
Very gothic. No weird romance scenes. Love this series!
February 9, 2025
The art in these are absolutely phenomenal! I am loving Dinah’s bravery and Vincent’s constant protection and interference is annoying me. Edaniel is weird and wonderful at the same time.
December 22, 2016
As much as I sometimes wish I could, I have to really hate a book to only give it only one star, so this one gets two.
I had such high hopes for this series. I mean LeGrow was a finalist in Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga competition, so I figured it had to be pretty good, right?? Not so much.
The artwork is nice, but the story is just not developed at all. The characters are not particularly interesting and there's not a whole lot of plot.
I will not be continuing on with this manga series.
I had such high hopes for this series. I mean LeGrow was a finalist in Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga competition, so I figured it had to be pretty good, right?? Not so much.
The artwork is nice, but the story is just not developed at all. The characters are not particularly interesting and there's not a whole lot of plot.
I will not be continuing on with this manga series.
November 26, 2021
I love the art work in this one too, I think I like book ones art work better but this one is really good. I like how each spirit adventure they have to go through to free these spirit's the closer they get to end the crazier the spirits are to solve their problems. I love the sassy cat, whom can turn into a very cutey boy. I do have to say I don't like how it ends in a continue which means you have to buy book 3, this is the first time I've ever read manga so maybe that's how it is, I just can't afford to keep buying each book... so I will not be continuing for a while, these need to just be one big book that you can read all together. Recommend 15 yrs & just know these are dark books.
Dinah & Vincent still trying to free these spirits and finding some are evil in death.. Fun read. Gina Clabo
Dinah & Vincent still trying to free these spirits and finding some are evil in death.. Fun read. Gina Clabo
January 28, 2018
DNF. I loved the first volume in the series as it was dark, haunting, and unsettling. The second volume was a huge disappointment as the writer seems to have abandoned her original writing style in favor of a more juvenile take on things. The story is no longer suspenseful or atmospheric, just one bad joke after another. And that would have been fine if that's how the series began but it isn't and therefore, I've given up on it as a whole. What started off as a very intriguing work has been lessened into a childish work of "meh".
Read
January 24, 2023Decided to give the second volume a go but unfortunately my opinion stays the same: adore the art but can't get into it otherwise. I'll leave this series here.
Format: ebook
Price paid: £0 via Scribd
Recommended: Worth a shot 😊
Will I buy the next: No
I read this via Scribd (UK)
Sign up to Scribd using my link and get 60 days free access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more! I also get an extra 30 days for every sign up. I use it daily so it would mean a lot ❤️
Link: scribd.com/gae/97wno1
Format: ebook
Price paid: £0 via Scribd
Recommended: Worth a shot 😊
Will I buy the next: No
I read this via Scribd (UK)
Sign up to Scribd using my link and get 60 days free access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more! I also get an extra 30 days for every sign up. I use it daily so it would mean a lot ❤️
Link: scribd.com/gae/97wno1
December 16, 2017
The story picks up in this volume and gets even more interesting, although the art (and many of the character interactions) continues to be about the level of fan art my friends drew in high school. Despite everything, though, I am enjoying it. As much as I rag on it, the imagery in this series is the stuff of my teenage gothic romance daydreams. If nothing else, it seems like it was made with love.
March 7, 2019
I love this series and in the back of this book Alice showed some outfits she made for cosplay from this series and they were beautiful!! She is such a good artist and writer. Dinah and Vincent have have of the riddles left to do, I swear they get harder and harder as time goes on. Next book should have the rest of them.
April 24, 2021
3.5 stars
Now we're getting there! The main character Dinah is evolving and growing up, great! Also we are introduced to a hilarious and unexpected new character.
The themes are fascinating. In a short chapter grief, anger, fear etc is explored and souls can move on. I'm wonder what's next since this is a seven part series...
Now we're getting there! The main character Dinah is evolving and growing up, great! Also we are introduced to a hilarious and unexpected new character.
The themes are fascinating. In a short chapter grief, anger, fear etc is explored and souls can move on. I'm wonder what's next since this is a seven part series...
December 15, 2024
I LOVE this. If you want to read something else by her, you can read "Stagtown" for free on the Webtoon app. It's even better than this one. I love love love this artist's style and i love the story. It's mysterious and creepy and adorable and hilarious all at the same time, both the story and the art. It's a masterpiece.
July 28, 2018
I enjoyed this volume more than the first one as the art improved and Dinah has more of an active role in this one. One thing that I wish was explained is how Dinah and Vincent met and became friends? Maybe it was explained in the first volume and I missed it but I don't think so.
July 2, 2021
(3.75)
This volume wasn't as good as the first one but it was still very enjoyable. It definitely kept that Gothic undertone to it.
It seemed a little rushed to me and certain scenes were a bit confusing. Still intruiged enough to continue to vol 3.
This volume wasn't as good as the first one but it was still very enjoyable. It definitely kept that Gothic undertone to it.
It seemed a little rushed to me and certain scenes were a bit confusing. Still intruiged enough to continue to vol 3.
December 28, 2022
I didn’t like this one as much as the first one, the setting changed and the setting is part of why I liked it so much. I loved the drawings of the place they were in in the first volume. I think I’ll still continue and hope volume 3 is better because I’m still interested in what’s going on.
January 2, 2024
Interesting, haunting, beautiful. I could do without the cursing but I am so intrigued by this story!
I love the beautiful cosplay dresses at the end as well.
Missing a page from the Apple of Life chapter. Was torn out. Read missing page on Hoopla.
I love the beautiful cosplay dresses at the end as well.
Missing a page from the Apple of Life chapter. Was torn out. Read missing page on Hoopla.
January 4, 2024
Ghosthunter Alice-in-Wonderland aka Dinah and her familiar Cheshire Cat (Edaniel) embark on another mission. I think my favorite section was the hint of Snow White, but I did love the appearance of the white peacock! "Deus ex plumatum."
January 14, 2024
This one felt a bit disjointed and confusing at times. The artwork is STUNNING..I just wish the stories were a bit clearer? I’m still interested enough to continue especially with what happened at the end and it’s worth it just for the artwork imo.
February 18, 2020
Dinah and Vincent are super cute. They're fight at the end sucked. Hope they sort things out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2021
Dinah enlists Edaniels' help to save Vincent. Vincent is saved and Dinah's aunt tells her she's saving up to leave Bizenghast.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2021
Better than the first one.
February 23, 2022
I really liked this volume!
July 16, 2022
The art, the writing, and the story have improved from the first book.
Read
October 3, 2022Jeez, humans. They'd put hot and cold faucets on the Fountain of Youth if they knew how.
October 16, 2022
I still find the story a little confusing (I wish they included a summary of volume 1...) but I love the strange designs and costumes!
August 23, 2024
Dinah and Vincent continue their adventures and it's lovely to see it 🥀
August 14, 2025
I am now going to be solving the code I'd been ignoring. It's all throughout this series.
February 7, 2017
2.5 Stars
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews