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Off*Beat #1
Off*Beat Volume 1
Presents the adventures of fifteen-year-old self-proclaimed genius Tory Blake.
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 5, 2020
Tory is an intelligent and imaginative 15-year-old boy who becomes obsessed with Colin, a mysterious new neighbor of his, to the point of recording anything even remotely odd about his life and activities and convincing his mom to enroll him in a private school that he has to spend two hours commuting to just so they'll both be attending the same place (yes, Tory is basically a stalker). Tory is convinced that Colin may be hiding something and, after a year, finally begins to find evidence that he may be right. His efforts uncover something about a mysterious Gaia Project. Then there's the fact that Colin seems to be sick a lot.
I decided that I'm going to try to attack my immense manga backlog by concentrating on some of the shorter series in my collection, as well as anything I only have one or two volumes of, and reviewing them as soon as I finish each volume. We'll see how long I can keep this up. Knowing my past history, probably not long.
Anyway, this series as a whole is only three volumes long but has a somewhat complicated publication history due, I'm guessing, to Tokyopop's general problems. It looks like Tokyopop was restructuring in 2008, at about the same time volume 3 was supposed to be published. In the end, volume 3 was completed in 2014, and the entire series has since been published/reissued by Sparkler. I only have Tokyopop's releases, volumes 1 and 2, and it looks like volume 3 isn't available in a physical format, so I'm going into this series knowing that I probably won't ever read the end of it.
At this point in the series, though, that doesn't really bug me. It's tough to tell what I'm even reading, so far. There are several moments that indicate Tory's interest in Colin has an explanation he isn't willing to admit, even to himself, but at the same time, like Tory's friend Paul said, it looks like there might actually be something mysterious going on. So will this series have sci-fi elements in addition to potential romance between Tory and Colin (or stalker-ish one-sided interest on Tory's part)? Mystery elements? Something else?
It can't be anything too complicated, or it wouldn't be possible to wrap it up in only three volumes. This first volume didn't even accomplish that much - Tory spent most of it sneaking around, trying to shake his classmate Mandy off (who is clearly interested in him but may have realized it's a lost cause), and coming up with a new plan to get closer to Colin and hopefully find out more. Volume 2 should give me a better idea of what's going on.
Art-wise, I'm not all that fond of this series. I don't particularly like Quick's style, and the quality seems to be a bit inconsistent. I noticed two thirds of the way through the volume that it was rare for two or more characters to be standing anywhere near each other, and I realized that the reason for this seemed to be due to Quick having difficulties with perspective and the characters' respective heights. Still, some panels are really nice and I've certainly seen worse.
All right, on to volume 2...
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
I decided that I'm going to try to attack my immense manga backlog by concentrating on some of the shorter series in my collection, as well as anything I only have one or two volumes of, and reviewing them as soon as I finish each volume. We'll see how long I can keep this up. Knowing my past history, probably not long.
Anyway, this series as a whole is only three volumes long but has a somewhat complicated publication history due, I'm guessing, to Tokyopop's general problems. It looks like Tokyopop was restructuring in 2008, at about the same time volume 3 was supposed to be published. In the end, volume 3 was completed in 2014, and the entire series has since been published/reissued by Sparkler. I only have Tokyopop's releases, volumes 1 and 2, and it looks like volume 3 isn't available in a physical format, so I'm going into this series knowing that I probably won't ever read the end of it.
At this point in the series, though, that doesn't really bug me. It's tough to tell what I'm even reading, so far. There are several moments that indicate Tory's interest in Colin has an explanation he isn't willing to admit, even to himself, but at the same time, like Tory's friend Paul said, it looks like there might actually be something mysterious going on. So will this series have sci-fi elements in addition to potential romance between Tory and Colin (or stalker-ish one-sided interest on Tory's part)? Mystery elements? Something else?
It can't be anything too complicated, or it wouldn't be possible to wrap it up in only three volumes. This first volume didn't even accomplish that much - Tory spent most of it sneaking around, trying to shake his classmate Mandy off (who is clearly interested in him but may have realized it's a lost cause), and coming up with a new plan to get closer to Colin and hopefully find out more. Volume 2 should give me a better idea of what's going on.
Art-wise, I'm not all that fond of this series. I don't particularly like Quick's style, and the quality seems to be a bit inconsistent. I noticed two thirds of the way through the volume that it was rare for two or more characters to be standing anywhere near each other, and I realized that the reason for this seemed to be due to Quick having difficulties with perspective and the characters' respective heights. Still, some panels are really nice and I've certainly seen worse.
All right, on to volume 2...
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
September 18, 2010
I really liked the characters of this book and the self-discovery of the main character, Tory. Tory is a teenage genius who documents every aspect of his life, including the strange boy who moved in across the street. Colin is a anti-social, somewhat depressed looking kid who is strangly connected to the top-secret Gaia Project. Further more, Tory has become obsessed with finding out anything and everything he can about Colin...and the Gaia Project. Only, the further he gets involved the more confusing his feelings become and more danger he seems to be in. A very well written graphic novel with excellent artwork. Look forward to the second book.
September 7, 2025
I picked this up at the library because I remember reading the first two volumes as a teen and really enjoying it.
I think I had to be a teen to really enjoy this.
The main character, 15 year old Tory, is insufferable. He's extremely dismissive of his mother, an absolute ass to Mandy, and overly entitled with Paul. His obsession with Collin is, frankly, stalkerish. There's no real lead up to why he's obsessed with Collin, or any real backstory on why he doesn't let people close, which could have built up some sympathy for him.
Instead, he disregards everyone in pursuit of information on Collin and the Gaia Project. It's kind of uncomfortable, but I was hopeful the next volume would remind me of why I enjoyed this series when I was younger.
I think I had to be a teen to really enjoy this.
The main character, 15 year old Tory, is insufferable. He's extremely dismissive of his mother, an absolute ass to Mandy, and overly entitled with Paul. His obsession with Collin is, frankly, stalkerish. There's no real lead up to why he's obsessed with Collin, or any real backstory on why he doesn't let people close, which could have built up some sympathy for him.
Instead, he disregards everyone in pursuit of information on Collin and the Gaia Project. It's kind of uncomfortable, but I was hopeful the next volume would remind me of why I enjoyed this series when I was younger.
September 28, 2017
Interesting start. I'm curious to read more.
A few things bothered me...
Why is Tory obsessed with Colin?
Why did it take him nearly a year to do anything about it?
If the year was to show the growth of his obsession then a single page could have accomplished this: 6 panels headed every other month showing Tory see Colin around and sparking his interest.
Tory's behaviour is more than a little stalkerish. Let's hope that aspect calms down in the next volume.
A few things bothered me...
Why is Tory obsessed with Colin?
Why did it take him nearly a year to do anything about it?
If the year was to show the growth of his obsession then a single page could have accomplished this: 6 panels headed every other month showing Tory see Colin around and sparking his interest.
Tory's behaviour is more than a little stalkerish. Let's hope that aspect calms down in the next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2020
This book was enjoyable for a light read as a graphic novel, but I do feel like this idea could have been developed a little better. So I get that Tory is supposed to be super smart and maybe even a genius, but what does his obsession really stem from? I’m hoping to get a few more answers in volume 2.
February 21, 2020
What an awful book. Not only is the art horrendous, the story and characters are all disgusting and more dangerous than relatable. The main character especially is probably the worst protagonist that I've ever read. I would read Twilight every day for 10 years than read this again.
May 1, 2020
A little confused still but on the bright side, I have volume 2 shoved in the closet at home. LOL
June 8, 2021
Its was super good, the suspends, the mysterious, and the super cute Tori
October 16, 2025
Actual: 3.75/5
December 6, 2019
It should be no surprise by now to many of you that I love going back and picking up older manga titles from Tokyopop that were made by up-and-coming Western artists and writers. Believe it or not, Off*Beat was not a title I recall having heard of before, and the cover art for this first volume was so eye-catching I couldn't resist picking up a copy.
And the same is trust of the art on the book's interior; I think this is a fantastic blend of Western and Eastern comic styles, and I absolutely adore the amount of detail that was put into the characters and the backgrounds and environments as a whole. The writing isn't half-bad either! The plot is well-paced and intriguing while still maintaining something of a contemporary tone. Character depth and development is perhaps a little underwhelming and lacking, but not so much so to the point it detracts from the read.
As this volume's synopsis hints at a male-male romance, I do want to make a quick disclaimer that there's not actually much sense of that in this installment. Main character Tory has a pretty high-key obsession with a reclusive newer boy in his neighborhood and wants to know more about him, but the vast majority of this is shown by Tory stalking Colin and getting so obsessed he intentionally transfers to a high school that is a two-hour commute away from his townhouse apartment, just in the hopes this will be an easier way for him to get closer to Colin. And while that level of obsessive stalking is something I can...tolerate in a narrative, it makes the sense that there could be any budding romance feel misleading, or at least disingenuous and formed from the wrong base interactions.
That being said, I still found this an enjoyable read and I want to see what happens in the next volume. Unfortunately, I've heard this was meant to be a 3-volume series, only for volume 3 to either never happen or to be published by someone else, because [as they did with many of the young artists and writers they conned and took advantage of,] Tokyopop screwed over Jen Lee Quick. Either way, I do recommend giving this a read if you think it looks appealing. If nothing else, Quick's work deserves some more appreciation.
And the same is trust of the art on the book's interior; I think this is a fantastic blend of Western and Eastern comic styles, and I absolutely adore the amount of detail that was put into the characters and the backgrounds and environments as a whole. The writing isn't half-bad either! The plot is well-paced and intriguing while still maintaining something of a contemporary tone. Character depth and development is perhaps a little underwhelming and lacking, but not so much so to the point it detracts from the read.
As this volume's synopsis hints at a male-male romance, I do want to make a quick disclaimer that there's not actually much sense of that in this installment. Main character Tory has a pretty high-key obsession with a reclusive newer boy in his neighborhood and wants to know more about him, but the vast majority of this is shown by Tory stalking Colin and getting so obsessed he intentionally transfers to a high school that is a two-hour commute away from his townhouse apartment, just in the hopes this will be an easier way for him to get closer to Colin. And while that level of obsessive stalking is something I can...tolerate in a narrative, it makes the sense that there could be any budding romance feel misleading, or at least disingenuous and formed from the wrong base interactions.
That being said, I still found this an enjoyable read and I want to see what happens in the next volume. Unfortunately, I've heard this was meant to be a 3-volume series, only for volume 3 to either never happen or to be published by someone else, because [as they did with many of the young artists and writers they conned and took advantage of,] Tokyopop screwed over Jen Lee Quick. Either way, I do recommend giving this a read if you think it looks appealing. If nothing else, Quick's work deserves some more appreciation.
February 10, 2017
The visual aspect really pulled me in, but in the end, the story didn't give me enough to want to keep reading.
I quite like it, it just... doesn't go anywhere.
When I finished the book, I read the blurb on the back and thought: "Wait... this is supposed to be a romantic story?" Tory's just a stalker. There's nothing romantic about that. He doesn't even realise why he's stalking his poor neighbour, so the "boy's love" angle is hardly relevant.
Colin's supposed to be mysterious, there's supposed to be an obvious mystery surrounding him, but I don't get it. They never give us enough clues as to why Tory decides to stalk him, or why it takes so long for him to start doing so (Colin's lived nextdoors for 347 days(!) before the story begins), and even after the stalking begins Colin doesn't do anything shady or weird. Sure, he's got some kind of medical condition, and a weird relationship with his not-parent: it might be enough to reel Tory in, but I need a bit more bait.
Also, Tory's kind of a dick to Mandy. Why does she like him? Why is she even friends with him? Guess she's into the antisocial type.
On the plus side, the art style's gorgeous, the backgrounds are very detailed and even the paneling is good for a change.
I quite like it, it just... doesn't go anywhere.
When I finished the book, I read the blurb on the back and thought: "Wait... this is supposed to be a romantic story?" Tory's just a stalker. There's nothing romantic about that. He doesn't even realise why he's stalking his poor neighbour, so the "boy's love" angle is hardly relevant.
Colin's supposed to be mysterious, there's supposed to be an obvious mystery surrounding him, but I don't get it. They never give us enough clues as to why Tory decides to stalk him, or why it takes so long for him to start doing so (Colin's lived nextdoors for 347 days(!) before the story begins), and even after the stalking begins Colin doesn't do anything shady or weird. Sure, he's got some kind of medical condition, and a weird relationship with his not-parent: it might be enough to reel Tory in, but I need a bit more bait.
Also, Tory's kind of a dick to Mandy. Why does she like him? Why is she even friends with him? Guess she's into the antisocial type.
On the plus side, the art style's gorgeous, the backgrounds are very detailed and even the paneling is good for a change.
September 29, 2014
Off*Beat v.1 is simultaneously both adorable and highly frustrating. As a protagonist, Tory is a cool kid who always gets Straight As in school. Lately, however, Tory's been utterly obsessed with a boy who moved into his neighborhood. Tory hopes to uncover Colin (a painfully antisocial kid from overseas)'s secret by diligently documenting every scrap of information he can gleam about Colin. Tory's information gathering and obsession create some extremely funny situational humor. Volume one definitely has one or two really cute scenes between the two boys as well, such as when Colin awakes in the library to find Tory watching him intently, almost within kissing distance.
In the end though, I became frustrated with how Tory kept blowing off his friends Paul and Mandy and his mother in order to focus all his time and attention on his obsession. It seems like he does care for Colin, but since he doesn't recognize his true feelings, the reader's left with the sense that he's totally self-absorbed. Tory is definitely a protagonist with a character flaw (which is neat to see).
In the end though, I became frustrated with how Tory kept blowing off his friends Paul and Mandy and his mother in order to focus all his time and attention on his obsession. It seems like he does care for Colin, but since he doesn't recognize his true feelings, the reader's left with the sense that he's totally self-absorbed. Tory is definitely a protagonist with a character flaw (which is neat to see).
November 9, 2013
Once upon a time, Tokyopop performed a great experiment in which prodigious manga-ka of American origin were courted for their manga-inspired works, an attempt to become the publisher of OEL (Original English Language) manga in North America. Much like the company itself, it eventually failed, but several stellar titles ended up rising from the group, redeeming OEL manga from the role of "lesser manga".
One of these titles, all thanks to the crowd sourced power of Kickstarter, is enjoying a reprint renaissance thanks to a brand new comic press - and that is Jen Lee Quick's Off*Beat, one of the best OEL manga you're not reading. And now you can, again!
You can read my complete review of OFF BEAT volume one at my blog: http://nagareboshi-reviews.blogspot.c...
One of these titles, all thanks to the crowd sourced power of Kickstarter, is enjoying a reprint renaissance thanks to a brand new comic press - and that is Jen Lee Quick's Off*Beat, one of the best OEL manga you're not reading. And now you can, again!
You can read my complete review of OFF BEAT volume one at my blog: http://nagareboshi-reviews.blogspot.c...
July 7, 2021
Although this isn't a fabulous series, the first book is humorous and mysterious, with a likeable, troubled protagonist. The long-awaited third volume, now promised from Chromatic Press, "will begin its serialization in Chromatic’s Sparkler Monthly digital magazine in the summer of 2013, with an expanded ebook and print book to follow."
I picked up my dusty volume one to reread and found volume two in a pile of library discards. (Who wants to read an abandoned series?) I'm ready for you, Mr. Volume Three! Bring it! (Finally!)
I picked up my dusty volume one to reread and found volume two in a pile of library discards. (Who wants to read an abandoned series?) I'm ready for you, Mr. Volume Three! Bring it! (Finally!)
September 28, 2013
The first in what I hope is an interesting manga style graphic novel. It seems to have started out slow, but like Tory, we are gathering new information too. Hopefully more is revealed now about the suspicous nature surrounding the new kid on the block, Colin Brown. I wonder when these characters will come out and just be honest about their pasts. Hopefully more is divulged on Tory's curiosity and Colin's odd health problems in the later volumes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2008
Tory starts obsessively documenting everything about the mysterious boy who moves in across the street. I loved both volumes of this. The detail, the shaggy hair, the adorable not-quite-friendship, not-quite-romance of it all, the kind of weird guy who lives next door, all of it. I think I would recommend for David Levithan fans.
February 26, 2008
Tory starts obsessively documenting everything about the mysterious boy who moves in across the street. I loved both volumes of this. The detail, the shaggy hair, the awesome not-quite-friendship, not-quite-romance of it all, the kind of weird guy who lives next door, all of it. I think I would recommend for David Levithan fans.
October 28, 2008
I wish I could give this manga 984759874 stars. Really. I also wish Tokyopop didn't put this title on haitus, because it is so unique to what is out there today. It manages to throw in quirky, adorable, first-time love, with a crazy, mysterious plot. Jen Lee Quick is AMAZING. My proverbial hat tips to her.
Read
December 30, 2009AJ Recommends:
Off Beat by Jen Lee Quick
As the connection between Colin and Tory grows, they find themselves struggling to protect their own secrets and wondering if their relationship is worth the risk.
Off Beat by Jen Lee Quick
As the connection between Colin and Tory grows, they find themselves struggling to protect their own secrets and wondering if their relationship is worth the risk.
April 20, 2009
A story about a very smart high school boy who becomes obsessed with his new neighbor (a high school boy who never talks to anyone).
August 3, 2011
A gay friendly Manga, following a high school students mildly obsessive interest in his fellow mysterious student and neighbor. I'm looking forward to Volume 2.
October 26, 2011
Probably the most adorable , awkward book Iv'e ever read, can't wait until the library get the second book.
July 22, 2012
Not as good as I remember from my high school days, but not awful either. If only volume three would be released!
June 27, 2013
Interesting...definitely gonna keep reding the series even though Tory isn't very good at minding his own business. And isn't very good at the whole spying thing
October 25, 2013
I love series.
September 6, 2015
I just. Was so confused. Or bewildered. Perplexed. Something. Throughout so much of this. I almost liked it and then realized I really didn't.
August 8, 2016
I'm reading this through my Sparkler subscription, and am loving the series so far.
December 19, 2025
“NOW KISS” I say as they drag into a mental asylum (#yoailover4life)
March 19, 2008
THESE BOOKS ARE VERY INTERSTING I LOVE THIS BOOK
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews