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Curtis Comics is the self-funded venture of Virginian Curtis Lee, is 
one many in the YBFREE.com camp hope continues. Curtis Comics has an entire line of Korean Manhwa for nearly every type of fan of comics. From science fiction to fantasy, sports to bloodthirsty psychopaths there is something for everyone’s fiction loving mind!
Currently publishing all of their titles in the hopefully soon to be extinct 32 page comic format, readers get a nice taste of what the world has been missing for years. Korea will definitely be the next country from Asia to produce a significant affect on American culture.
Yes, I know my raving is annoying, but what can I say; I LOVE comics! Yet, nothing is perfect and I have to state my problems with Curtis’ titles. They are not necessarily the titles themselves, but rather the production quality. First and foremost, the art is too dark. At times it is hard to make out the action in the story because of this. Also, the translations are a little rough, there are noticeable typos and grammar errors that make it hard to understand certain stories. My biggest peeves though were the name changes; I absolutely despise white washing of cultures. It just seems so weird to have such Western names for all the Korean characters. Now I understand that some of the characters may in fact have such names, but it just takes away from the authenticity and more importantly the culture of the works. If people in the English-speaking world cannot pronounce it, force them-believe me it’s a start to learning more about Korea and its culture.
With that said I would like to conclude this piece with a summary of the titles Curtis Comics sent for YBFREE.com to preview:
Art and Story by Seongkyu Lee
Genre: Fantasy - Mature
In a Trigun-type American Western world, guns, drugs, super hero strength, and plenty of S&M supernatural hi-jinx are the norm. With a Jawa looking bad guy walking around with a man’s head in his bag things are gory from page one!
Story by Kyongwon Yoo
Art by Seonmo Yang
Genre: Vampires - Mature
Blood School opens with two young people having sex and at the height of passion the female is bled by her lover, a teenage boy who is part of a gang of vampires bent on sucking their classmates dry. Full of suspense, action, and warring vampire factions; this is a MUST READ!
Story by Takyoung Lee
Art by Jihoon Park
Genre: Fantasy - All Ages
Borrowing HEAVILY from Dragon Ball Z (the main character of this series looks just like Super Saiyajin Goku); this comedy surrounds a psionic school full of teen angst and a villain bent on destroying the world.
Art and Story by MiRo
Genre: Christian Fantasy - Teens
The Devil is trying once more to conquer Earth so the Pope instructs several of his loyalist followers to train a group of young adults to develop their psychic fighting abilities to destroy the devil and his minions.
Story by Ha Chae
Art by Haeryoung Chong
Genre: Extreme In-Line Skating - Teen
A group of teens join up with Korea’s number one extreme skater for competitions. Great skating sequences give this story the edge.
Story by Jihoon Park
Art by Takyoung Lee
Genre: Car Racing - Teen
Essentially, think Initial D with comedy. A rude but funny loser (who likes to flick boogers at people) with great strength and driving ability seeks to rule the road while trying to pass school and get the girl, the smartest and hottest girl in class.
Story by Jeongwook Ko
Art by Kiho Jeon
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction - Mature
This alternative history of the Crusades is an interesting story. Two brothers split on the course of their campaign in Palestine and force a young man to choose between his father and uncle, as to whom in his family has truly chosen the more righteous path. Futuristic Knights, nuns in short attire but definitely diva in attitude and fighting style you would be a sinner if you did not check this one out!
Art and Story by Jongil Kim
Genre: Action - Teen
Action non-stop; 90 percent of this story is fighting plenty of weaponry and psychic fighting. A Hybrid Demon/Humans fighter is seeking an unnamed reward for capturing the infamous Red Demon warrior. Very little story presented in this issue; the jury is still out on this title.
Art and Story by Yoojeong Lee
Genre: Science Fiction - Mature
In the distant future on the Moon Colony, a young pregnant surveyor at mission control is guiding a team of scientist studying the moon for further development. Unfortunately, a group of escaped convicts enter the facility raping and killing the young woman. When her team returns, they cut the baby from the dead woman’s belly. The story fast forwards about 15 years, the young girl is now part of an all female gang bent on taking over the moon, maiming and killing anyone in their paths.
Art and Story by Jeongtae Lee
Genre: Science Fiction - Teen
This story is just that, pandemonium. I do not know what really is going on except that a group of aliens are hell bent on capturing a Dr. Hyde like creature from humans that is far stronger than any weapon of mass destruction they posses.
Story by Chulbee Lee
Art by Jinwoo Lee
Genre: Psychotic Thriller - Mature
Former psychotherapist, now psychopath, is cutting and mutilating his female victims. The best artwork and story of the lot; if you are into forensics and shows like CSI, then this will be your favorite too!
Story by k1mgOOn
Art by Yoonyeol Choi
Genre: Science Fiction - Teen
Playing God will get you into trouble, as one scientist finds out. His creation would soon find its way into the near future and literally rip the insides out of anything in its way.
Send your comments and or questions to JenniferJ@ybfree.com.