If you can't get enough of divas' bratty antics on the news or in grocery store publications of the "Elvis Lives!" variety, maybe it's time to graduate to Divalicious, an Original English Manga recently released by Tokyopop. Of course, if you're among the 95% of the American public who swear they don’t give a damn about Brittany Spears shaving her head (you liar), the mere existence of a manga about diva life might make you want to retch. Disappointingly, the smart dialogue in Divalicious will deflate even the most rock-solid of hate-ons. If you make it through the manga without laughing at least once, you either lack a soul or a mouth.
In eight parts (rather, "tracks"), volume one of Divalicious relays the life and trails of Tina Young, a pop sensation who is still fresh and innocent (and a virgin. For reals). Tina is supported through her successes, personal crises and broken nails by her assistant, Shaquille. Shaquille, of course, is in love with Tina for some reason, but her affections are caught up by Chaddy-G, a hip-hop star. Besides love trouble, there's record sales and rivals to deal with.
Divalicious does have a problem with shallow characters, which probably isn't a big surprise given the subject matter. Tina is a hard sell as a sympathetic figure, but so's any rich airhead whose heart remains pure not because of a strong spirit and sharp intuition, but because she's too danged stupid to take notice of what's happening around her. One track indicates she has "parent issues," but that storyline fizzles out. Shaquille never reveals any major reason for loving Tina other than the fact he "believes in her." Chaddy-G exhibits a bit more depth with his conflicting "gangsta" stage act and the real man who loves Alvin and the Chipmunks (it's not far-fetched. I knew a pusher who loved Pokemon).
But Divalicious is saved by Amy Mebberson's expressive art and its funny, often hilarious, dialogue. In the track titled "Thank the Little People?", Tina visits her little home town along with Chaddy-G and Shaquille. Her oblivious parents welcome her and Shaquille, believing her assistant to be the boyfriend she's talked about. Chaddy-G affirms their beliefs by patting Shaquille on the shoulder and declaring he was going to shuffle down to KFC to try and "learn to read the menu."
Divalicious takes a serious turn towards the end, where Tina destroys any chance at reader sympathy by signing with a shady record label and leaving Shaquille to rot. It's hard to say if the new story direction works for the lighthearted title, but volume one of Divalicious is worth a follow-up. It retails for $9.99.
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