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Bizenghast #3
Bizenghast, Volume 3
With two of the four Tower Guards to aid them, Dinah and Vincent are halfway to freedom from their nightly tasks. But a new set of vicious ghosts is only the first of many dangers for the pair--and even the help of the gallant Edrear might not be enough to protect the humans from becoming part of the ranks of the departed themselves. Jealousy, bitterness and resentment keep the dead from finding peace, but what happens when those emotions start to affect Dinah and her comrades? And as more of the mystery of Addie Clark is revealed, Dinah may discover that there are some creatures that even the dead fear...
183 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
12 people are currently reading
380 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 45 reviews
September 22, 2024
Good for you, Bizenghast, as of volume three you've gotten another star from me!
There's been even more improvement since the last volume. The choice to focus on longer stories was a good one. Some of the other weaknesses I mentioned in the previous two reviews haven't left us, though. Not yet knowing how things develop from here, I suspect that LeGrow, given some time (this volume came out in 2007), could be a very good comics creator. But as of this point, she doesn't have those "bad first 10,000 panels" of a growing cartoonist behind her yet. There's a rushed feeling in the art, of giving up on a puzzle she hasn't solved, or even of "good enough, send it." An intention that isn't quite realized.
I keep stumbling over this or that. For example, in the second story of v. 3, there's an item that got passed from one character to another. I'd missed it being in the possession of the first character, since it was just one element of a single panel, and had to backtrack a few pages to understand how it got into the later scene, or even what it was. You don't have to point actual arrows at an item like that, but at least give the reader a hint that it's significant, whether now or later, is my take on it. If you have a panel showing the Valkyrie handing the Unbearable to Edrear, Edrear's putting it into the storage unit later on makes a lot more sense. (My reader, I'm sure this makes perfect sense to you now. heh.)
Come down to it, if a comic makes me more likely to go into critique mode than simply diving in and enjoying it, there's something amiss. If this were, say, a web comic, I'd have wandered off well before now, but with eight paperback volumes sitting around the apartment, I'll at least finish it.
Tokyopop leveraged LeGrow's fannish talents and enthusiasm into profit for themselves, as they did with many young creators from this time period. Something I never forgave them----for, even though the "Rising Stars of Manga [sic]" fiasco is a couple of decades in the past now. I wonder how many of the cartoonists they selected are still pursuing this kind of work today, and how many gave up. It's even harder to evade exploitation now than it was back then . . . good luck out there, kids.
ETA: I saw a cheeky Revolutionary Girl Utena reference along the way. :D
There's been even more improvement since the last volume. The choice to focus on longer stories was a good one. Some of the other weaknesses I mentioned in the previous two reviews haven't left us, though. Not yet knowing how things develop from here, I suspect that LeGrow, given some time (this volume came out in 2007), could be a very good comics creator. But as of this point, she doesn't have those "bad first 10,000 panels" of a growing cartoonist behind her yet. There's a rushed feeling in the art, of giving up on a puzzle she hasn't solved, or even of "good enough, send it." An intention that isn't quite realized.
I keep stumbling over this or that. For example, in the second story of v. 3, there's an item that got passed from one character to another. I'd missed it being in the possession of the first character, since it was just one element of a single panel, and had to backtrack a few pages to understand how it got into the later scene, or even what it was. You don't have to point actual arrows at an item like that, but at least give the reader a hint that it's significant, whether now or later, is my take on it. If you have a panel showing the Valkyrie handing the Unbearable to Edrear, Edrear's putting it into the storage unit later on makes a lot more sense. (My reader, I'm sure this makes perfect sense to you now. heh.)
Come down to it, if a comic makes me more likely to go into critique mode than simply diving in and enjoying it, there's something amiss. If this were, say, a web comic, I'd have wandered off well before now, but with eight paperback volumes sitting around the apartment, I'll at least finish it.
Tokyopop leveraged LeGrow's fannish talents and enthusiasm into profit for themselves, as they did with many young creators from this time period. Something I never forgave them----for, even though the "Rising Stars of Manga [sic]" fiasco is a couple of decades in the past now. I wonder how many of the cartoonists they selected are still pursuing this kind of work today, and how many gave up. It's even harder to evade exploitation now than it was back then . . . good luck out there, kids.
ETA: I saw a cheeky Revolutionary Girl Utena reference along the way. :D
October 25, 2017
as the way it is going, I guess I'm going to give 5 stars to the 7th volume:D
Edrear is really adding to the story but there is still so much confusion. each mission starts apparently and just end suddenly without any explanation.
Edrear is really adding to the story but there is still so much confusion. each mission starts apparently and just end suddenly without any explanation.
January 20, 2024
Ratings are so hard! I really am enjoying this series but I do think it can be a bit all over the place at times and randomly hop from thing to thing. The artwork is just gorgeous though and I love the atmosphere. I’m also really loving the characters
July 9, 2021
(4.5 stars rounded up)
This was so much better than the third volume. I really feel like Dinah is becoming more assertive as a character and she's really starting to solve the riddles on her own versus cowering in the background while Vincent does everything.
The ghosts in this volume were much more malicious and creepy.
Edaniel is definitely my fave, and the way he broke the fourth wall in this volume was hilarious and a nice touch from the author.
Super excited to continue my Bizenghast journey!
This was so much better than the third volume. I really feel like Dinah is becoming more assertive as a character and she's really starting to solve the riddles on her own versus cowering in the background while Vincent does everything.
The ghosts in this volume were much more malicious and creepy.
Edaniel is definitely my fave, and the way he broke the fourth wall in this volume was hilarious and a nice touch from the author.
Super excited to continue my Bizenghast journey!
December 28, 2022
The art and setting are 5 stars, but my enjoyment of the plot brought my rating down. I really like Dinah and Vincent and the gothic setting they’re in, but the plot is kind of hard for me to enjoy. I think volume 1 was the best one.
February 14, 2025
Beautiful. I love how the story is evolving!
August 15, 2025
Well, it's fascinating. That's all I have to say about it.
March 31, 2022
i’m going to tell my kids that these were the ghostbusters
January 5, 2024
The artwork in these books is phenomenal. The story lines are a bit ephemeral; they connect but tenuously.
I actually liked the stories in this volume better than the others. But they didn't really seem to connect to anything or flow well as a complete tale.
The first chapter was actually my favorite - maybe a bit of Bacchus mixed with Phantom of the Opera?
"Why would a person let themselves be split into so many different parts that they no longer remember who they are? Maybe they do it to forget who they once were."
I actually liked the stories in this volume better than the others. But they didn't really seem to connect to anything or flow well as a complete tale.
The first chapter was actually my favorite - maybe a bit of Bacchus mixed with Phantom of the Opera?
"Why would a person let themselves be split into so many different parts that they no longer remember who they are? Maybe they do it to forget who they once were."
January 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this issue. Dinah is starting to become a stronger and more effective character and the promise of mysteries within her own house and the mausoleum are certain. Dinah’s fashion is outstanding, and the gothic architecture as well as the fantasy elements are so well drawn.
January 26, 2021
Dinah stops Ixi and Ixi tries to kill her but Dinah stops her again. Edrear and Dinah get closer and closer much to the irritation of Vincent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
Full review to come!
August 21, 2016
Each and every one of the stories in this volume were fun and exciting, mysterious and funny. I liked them all quite a bit, and most of the ghosts were likable characters as well, even though many of them (if not all) in this volume were doomed to pass into hell or some other unkind place because of the bad deeds they committed, or the blackness in their hearts. Once again, this volume has improved on any faults the previous volumes may have had. And it has come such a very long way since the first volume, which wasn't very likable in my opinion. But I suppose it didn't have to be. It set things up, then everything was increasingly great from there. And the mysteries that go on in Dinah's life, not in the mausoleum but possibly connected to it, are intriguing as well. And I like Vincent, but... At the same time, I dislike him. And toward the end of this volume, we get to see Edrear, Vincent, and Dinah at the most selfish and true core beings. Edrear is just smitten with Dinah and is willing to possibly kill Vincent in order to be with her, but I don't think he'd go through with it. He's still a sweet cinnamon cream puff. And Dinah is terribly vain and smitten with her own looks, and Vincent is completely consumed by monetary and material greed and revenge upon his parents. He even uses his volunteering to help Dinah and justification to have all of the riches which were falsely offered to him, instead of sharing it with Dinah. Out of those three, Vincent's heart is the blackest, Edrear is the most sweet and innocent and noble, and Dinah learned the most important lesson out of them all. I'm also beginning to like Edaniel more as well. He's funny and cute. Both him and his brother are very attractive, and I am beginning to actually ship Edrear and Dinah, considering they both like each other. It's obvious now. However, I think Edrear probably only likes Dinah because he is hardwired to have a set strong moral code and desire to protect and serve the contract holder. Furthermore, she is likely the most beautiful human he has seen for a century or more. He is smitten and infatuated with Dinah, but he is not truly in love with her, as she is only attracted to him for his manliness, capabilities, and beauty. But things are getting more interesting in the story, and I'll be so sad if it is all cut off abruptly in the eighth volume. I'm beginning to really love this story and to get addicted to it. I'm excited to read more in the future, and I'll likely reread the Bizenghast stories at least a few times in my life (but maybe volume one not as many times as the others).
June 11, 2011
I really enjoyed this volume, and it probably had to do with Edaniel cracking me up every time he opened his mouth! Haha!! But besides that, I'm really enjoying the series. LeGrow's artwork is slowly improving, which is great! The pictures aren't as distracting as they were in the first volume. I'm also enjoying how much stronger Dinah is becoming. That makes me very happy! I also really enjoy seeing her different looks. You can tell LeGrow is a designer as well!
But...Edaniel totally sells this series. He's amazing!
I think this is a tradition I will start with ever Bizenghast review!
Edaniel quotes!
Vincent: [...] isn't it cool?
Edaniel: Hey! Nothing here is cool, Fernando! (he never calls Vincent by his appropriate name) This place is wicked dangerous for reasons I've temporarily forgotten!
Dinah: Ugh, I hate apples. Why do we have to eat these in order to open this stupid vault?
Edaniel: Because ummm... because shut up.
Vincent: I don't trust your filthy brother with Dinah! He was much too fast with that idea of splitting up and going off with her!
Edaniel: Aw come on, I was only joking. Edrear's the very epitome of gentlemanly whatevers.
And of course, the review wouldn't be complete without pictures!
XD!!
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I rolled forever
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Edaniel is a human in these two! And they're both hilarious!
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But...Edaniel totally sells this series. He's amazing!
I think this is a tradition I will start with ever Bizenghast review!
Edaniel quotes!
Vincent: [...] isn't it cool?
Edaniel: Hey! Nothing here is cool, Fernando! (he never calls Vincent by his appropriate name) This place is wicked dangerous for reasons I've temporarily forgotten!
Dinah: Ugh, I hate apples. Why do we have to eat these in order to open this stupid vault?
Edaniel: Because ummm... because shut up.
Vincent: I don't trust your filthy brother with Dinah! He was much too fast with that idea of splitting up and going off with her!
Edaniel: Aw come on, I was only joking. Edrear's the very epitome of gentlemanly whatevers.
And of course, the review wouldn't be complete without pictures!
XD!!
[image error]
I rolled forever
[image error]
Edaniel is a human in these two! And they're both hilarious!
[image error]
[image error]
August 6, 2010
M. Alice LeGrow, Bizenghast, vol. 3 (Tokyopop, 2006)
Things take a more personal turn for Dinah in the main story in this volume, when it turns out that the ghost they're battling is no stranger. Worse, she's become so powerful that even with Edaniel and Edrear's help, Dinah ends up realizing for the first time that danger in the nocturnal world of the mausoleum is just as real as danger in the waking world. In other news, Vincent, while researching the town's history, discovers that Addie Clark may be a more instrumental figure in all this than they had first thought. Series keeps going strong. *** ½
Things take a more personal turn for Dinah in the main story in this volume, when it turns out that the ghost they're battling is no stranger. Worse, she's become so powerful that even with Edaniel and Edrear's help, Dinah ends up realizing for the first time that danger in the nocturnal world of the mausoleum is just as real as danger in the waking world. In other news, Vincent, while researching the town's history, discovers that Addie Clark may be a more instrumental figure in all this than they had first thought. Series keeps going strong. *** ½
June 4, 2011
I got this one in the post and I have already read it. I am getting quite addicted to this series, and I am going to have to read the whole thing through now. This is a continuation of the story, Dinah with her friend Vincent and the two tower guards trying to solve the riddles of the ghosts and free them. More about the mysterious past of Bizenghast.
I'm reading these books with such a large space of time in between that I forget a lot of the time all the details from the previous books. Maybe need to sit down and read them all at once.
I'm reading these books with such a large space of time in between that I forget a lot of the time all the details from the previous books. Maybe need to sit down and read them all at once.
March 29, 2017
3.5
the more the series goes on, the more I enjoy it.
I heard one girl on the last book say that Dinah has lost some of her qualities, but personally I find that Dinah is a character that experiences personal growth rapidly. In the first book she's sort of useless and often her friend Vincent rescues her, but as the story goes on (and in the stories in this book) we can see that Dinah is developing problem solving skills and a intellect and uses that to her advantage (and yes in both this volume and the previous one, that intellect is even put to use to rescue Vincent).
the more the series goes on, the more I enjoy it.
I heard one girl on the last book say that Dinah has lost some of her qualities, but personally I find that Dinah is a character that experiences personal growth rapidly. In the first book she's sort of useless and often her friend Vincent rescues her, but as the story goes on (and in the stories in this book) we can see that Dinah is developing problem solving skills and a intellect and uses that to her advantage (and yes in both this volume and the previous one, that intellect is even put to use to rescue Vincent).
May 29, 2016
This might be my favorite volume in the series. It has a lot of fun ghost stories and the art is greatly improved from the first two volumes. My favorite chapters were "The Night Watch," "The Sinful Vanities," and "The Unmasking." Having read the series several times, I was pleased and astonished to see major foreshadowing in this volume that I had never noticed before. The mysteries of the sunken mausoleum continue to build, and tensions keep rising. I highly recommend for horror fans!
February 24, 2010
Same comments as for volume 1:
I love the artwork and the fashion in it, and find the storyline oddly compelling. I have to keep reading and I don't know why, but I like it.
Interesting tidbits about the series on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizenghast
The author has a cool blog if you'd like to visit: http://www.bizenghast.com/
I love the artwork and the fashion in it, and find the storyline oddly compelling. I have to keep reading and I don't know why, but I like it.
Interesting tidbits about the series on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizenghast
The author has a cool blog if you'd like to visit: http://www.bizenghast.com/
April 18, 2017
The artwork is beautiful, and the storyline is intriguing. My one complaint is Edrear. His personality is bland, unlike his brother, Edaniel; and Dinah's crush on him is annoying. I hate when girls pass over their best friends, who love them, for some guy who could never give them the love they deserve (for one reason or another). A very strong 4*.
June 11, 2020
Quick Thoughts:
This is one of the funnier volumes especially in the beginning
Edaniel is on point here
Vincent's jealousy is so obvious and it makes me love him all the more
I love the ghosts featured here especially in the latter half of the story
the foreshadowing and continuity are strong with this volume (the intrigue)
This is one of the funnier volumes especially in the beginning
Edaniel is on point here
Vincent's jealousy is so obvious and it makes me love him all the more
I love the ghosts featured here especially in the latter half of the story
the foreshadowing and continuity are strong with this volume (the intrigue)
September 4, 2023
Jealousy can be cruel if not careful. This ressentiment can drive friends apart, even by petty squabbles. Problem is some ghost usually take advantage of it. As usual, excellent graphics, good writing, and kinda easy to follow. Recommended. I’m looking forward to the next one. Addition: Vanity is also a bitch. Can lose friends as quickly as an eye-blink.
June 29, 2024
.::You were a wonderful experience::.
Oh my goodness! transition scenes are SO much better. The cadence of the story is better too. I don't have to stop every so often and reread to make sure I know what's going on. Also, the scenes are BEAUTIFUL! It truly feels like a 'looking glass' world. :D The deaths are horrific and wonderfully illustrated.
Oh my goodness! transition scenes are SO much better. The cadence of the story is better too. I don't have to stop every so often and reread to make sure I know what's going on. Also, the scenes are BEAUTIFUL! It truly feels like a 'looking glass' world. :D The deaths are horrific and wonderfully illustrated.
May 28, 2008
not drawn as well as well as the first two volumes, so the stories just did not hold the same way. i had high hopes for this series, for it is sp unique than any other on the shelves out there today.
January 27, 2009
The drawings and the story are fantastic! I love this series. A bit of gothic, a world of fantasy, and a touch of romance all contribute to the quick flow of this graphic novel. There's even a little comic relief.
May 22, 2015
Vincent is in a pretty tough spot due to Di, especially since he's just helping her out. Edrear seems to have romanticized her away. Heartbreaking. Interesting things are happening but will they amount to anything?!
June 5, 2015
This book is very fun and scary. If you like graphic novels and horror then you will love this. This book is very exciting and interesting. I really do recommend this book after you read the first two books in the series. If you like the Bizenghast series then you will like this book.
April 5, 2016
LOVED IT!! Dinah just keeps getting stronger. She isn't near as timid and afriad as she was at the start of the series. I can't wait to see how she progresses!! Edrear is cool and it is so ovious that he likes Dinah. Can't wait to see what happens next!
May 2, 2008
Third. More fun graphics. Dinah is a great character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews