Mariko Between Worlds

August 7, 2023
A breakup is envisioned as an interdimensional crisis in this action-filled rom-com from Erman (Bonding) and Kangas (the Trve Kvlt series). Mariko is a typical citizen in a multiverse connected by dimensional gateways, working as a cocktail waitress at a massive hub called the Mall of Portals and browsing its countless lush adventures in her downtime. When her alien boyfriend Rem leaves her to take a job in a universe of corporate wage slaves, she descends into the interdimensional underground to get the visa she needs to follow him. The premise is barely sketched in before the plot plunges into a kaleidoscope of universes with names like the Undertow, the Plane of Honeyed Milk, and the Moon of Plenty, where Mariko encounters characters ranging from an angelic exotic dancer who devours egos to the skeleton staff of a restaurant that serves grief. Beneath the sardonic banter and barrage of fantastical concepts is a sincere story about moving on to a new stage of life and coping with endless change. Chunky inks and neon colors create the sense of realistic characters adrift in unreal situations. Fans of The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy will enjoy this romp.

July 28, 2023

Welcome to the future, where every experience imaginable is but a portal away. Carnal cravings and emotional snacking are just some of the multitude of options when a couple visit the inter-dimensional Mall of Portals. After her visa is denied, Mariko is desperate to find a way to stay with her boyfriend, who is leaving for a new job on the Moon of Plenty, so she takes on a mission to deliver a secret package for the mysterious Mr. Eat-Your-Heart-Out. A brilliant palette and wildly playful illustrations make for a compelling tale as readers follow this night of revelry down the rabbit hole--or perhaps the rabbit portal. Erman (Witchblood) and Kangas (TRVE KVLT) create a wonderfully madcap last night for a couple on the verge of becoming something new. Futuristic and psychedelic, the message of growing up and away from the path that one thinks they want will resonate with many. VERDICT Recommended for mature teens and adults, this title captures the rush of youth, where nights out have no repercussions and hangovers are tomorrow's problem.--Mary E. Butler

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