Digimon GN 1

Studio - TOKYOPOP
Age - Y (Youth 7+)
By Yuen Wong Yu
TOKYOPOP Staff
Translator - Davis Truong
English Adaptation by Lianne Sentar
Retouch and Lettering by Jackie Medel
Senior Editor - Mark Paniccia
Before We Begin
If there's one thing I can't abide by is a clone series. And when most people regard Digimon that is exactly what they first think, clone series.
In this case, of course, it's a clone of the more popular Poke'mon series. Later Digimon tries to change (set in the "real world" in Season 3) but by then it's too late and the series eventually fades from memory.
So, if that is the case, why bring up the manga?
Sometimes just because you can't stand watching the Anime doesn't mean you will have the same reaction to the manga... then again...
Oh, yes, there are in fact TWO versions of this.
This manga (TOKYOPOP), and a short lived Dark Horse "Ameri-Manga" version whose story is more closely linked to the Anime than the manga (only one Graphic Novel I know of exists collecting Issues #1-#9, but it might have had more...)
Graphic Novel 1
Ah, the ills of camp.
Being picked on by bullies, the long boring hours without much to do, the lame events, the crazy weather that threatens global stability, the strange devices that fall out of the sky and transport you and your fellow campers into some strange new "world"...
Yeah, doesn't camp just suck?
This is exactly what happened to Tai and company.
One minute they're in camp bored out of their mind, close to death by boredom.
Next they're on a strange new "world", close to death by rampaging "Digi" things.
Yeah. A world where EVERYTHING is a "Digi" something. Digi-this, Digi-that, Digi-yawn... Digi-curses, and Digi-duh. Sigh... Digi-move on.
The first thing the gang does is find their new "companions" (Digimon), next they're on the run (away from bad Digimon, or towards them sometimes depending on the plot) while searching for a way home.
Before this book is over everyone will have had their Digimon "modified" and evolved with the ability to use a more powerful "form"... and that's it.
Three points.
1-The search for a way home.
2-A long roadtrip which leads the gang of seven into situations where they have to fight bad Digimon with giant gears sticking out of them (bad gears from the evil DIY Network which makes good Digimon into bad Digimon) which brings out...
3-The evolution of each of the seven's Digimon so they can use more powerful forms.
Very simple... too simple as a matter of fact. Straightforward plot isn't it? Yeah.
Breakdown time.
Digimon Breakdown
What's Hot?
Not going to become an "Advocate" of the series. I saw some of it, and I didn't like the Anime.
However I somehow found the manga at least readable, and in some respect tolerable for my collection. Why? It's not particularly deep, nor does it do anything particularly amazing with the idea set in the first Graphic Novel storywise and yet -- well, I read it and kept it.
I wasn't compelled to get further Graphic Novels... yet. But I might one day... maybe.
What's Not?
Well, let's face it... if you are a major critic of the series and totally down on it from word go? There's little chance you'll even humor the manga. And add to that the fact that the manga isn't going to convert you to Digimon fandom after reading it? Well, there's just as many reasons to avoid this as there are to give it a fair chance and read it.
I'd have to say that this is a judgment call, pure and simple.
If you can? Give it a shot. If not? Don't. Simple as that.
Moments to Remember?
There are a few memorable moments, believe it or not. Usually in relation to Mimi or Sora... or maybe I just liked their parts because they're the only female cast of the group.
What to Ignore?
Don‘t like Digimon then there‘s no need to read it. Ignore the book.
Overall?
Total judgment call on this one. I think it's easier to read stuff like this than have to watch it... that way I won't have to have some of the "music" and other things relentlessly pounded into my skull over and over again (just a few viewings and some of the things about it like the Digimon "musical score" is imbedded with all the staying power of glass shards into my conscious... which isn't a good thing from my POV).