Four Months of Strange Sex: A profile of Icarus Publishing's AG manga anthology

By: Lauren Goodnight
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2005

From where I stand, the publication of a bimonthly magazine as explicit and diverse as AG is something of a change in the winds. Until very recently, the majority (what little that actually was) of erotic manga published in the US was done so by Eros Comix,with a smattering offered by Steve Bennett's Sexy Fruit label as well from time to time. However, with the slow mainstreaming of yaoi hentai in the American comic market, a quiet boom in more traditional hentai was sure to follow. Icarus Publishing is a small publishing house with only a few projects, but because the house focuses on these projects exclusively, the end product is of a very high quality (and very timely as well). Their acquisition of the classic "big breast" series, Blue Eyes, sent up a flair for hentai fans everywhere that these were the people to watch, and AG magazine is what will put the company on the map. Provided for your education, an extended outline of the contents of AG Super Erotic Manga Anthology between the dates of 1 May 2005 and 15 August 2005.



On a side note, no matter how graphic these books were, no matter how often they went places where I was uncomfortable, it felt more unrestrained and realistic than the glut of yaoi titles that have been brought to my attention. The writing was, but for a few typos, consistent, and the art was exceptional in all but one of the thirty stories proffered throughout the four months. Perhaps "realistic" was the wrong word to use . . . maybe the fantasy was just a little more complete.




Things every issue has in common: Every cover is a tease, sexy and breathtaking. Each issue showcases a variety of different art styles hailing from different eras in manga creation. This is indicative of both the evolution of manga (and hentai in particular) as well as a stroll, of sorts, down memory lane. Some recall the baroque look of manga in the late 1970's, some are very modern in their use of screen tones, and some lay snugly in between. What a treat! Throughout the issues, one artist really pushes the boundaries with superb art and jaw-droppingly strange concepts: Mashumaro "Marshmallow" Jyuubaori. Watch for his work, as shocking as it may be.





1 May 2005 -- Issue 13

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy; prostitution; voyeurism; bondage; blackmail; humiliation; very brief bestiality.

From the gorgeous cover (a big-eyed brunette with shimmery peach lipstick licking ice cream from her fingers) to the final page, I was shocked. The transfer is crisp, and the translation is as good as one can get with porn on the brain. Nothing is left to the imagination here, and this explicitness in this format will (hopefully) revolutionize the presentation of pornographic comics. This issue reminded me very briefly of Heavy Metal magazine in that it is an anthology of comics with mature themes, but Heavy Metal never quite goes where AG does. Worth finding for the cover alone.



15 May 2005 -- Issue 14

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy; power exchange; bondage; incest; humiliation.

Two running storylines come forth here, and both are quite engaging. "Anzu" and "Council of Carnality Unlimited" are very different and very good, each in a very special way. The standalone stories are again, just as good, and while the themes are really begin to get "out there", the sex itself is still what matters here.



1 June 1005 -- Issue 15

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy girl/girl; power exchange; bondage; incest; drugs; humiliation; big breasts.

Two more running storylines, which, I found, alternate with other stories every other issue, pop into rotation. This time, the infamous "Blue Eyes" sallies forth, as does a fun and well-illustrated archeology spoof, "Megumi Raiders". "Sakura", the latest Tanuki Kamogawa offering, is perhaps the saddest thus far.



15 June 2005 -- Issue 16

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy girl/girl; masturbation; bondage; power exchange; incest; humiliation; anthropomorphism.

"Anzu" and "Megumi Raiders" continue here, and the art and plots are as crisp as ever, and the very mainstream art style of "Feel Free to Come On Up" was very enjoyable!



1 July 2005 -- Issue 17

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy girl/girl; bondage; power exchange; humiliation; big breasts.

"Blue Eyes" and "Council" continue here. Once again, the covers go from great to excellent, with a truly lovely shot of a dark-skinned beauty in a very very wet wifebeater t-shirt. There is no standout story in this issue, but the sex is, as always, up to par. Also, the edgy, dirty webcomic "Sexy Losers" makes its print debut here.



15 July 2005 -- Issue 18

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy; bondage; power exchange; humiliation.

If there was one issue to miss in the series, this might be it. The first story, "Miku's Sexual Orgy Diary", is the aforementioned non-exceptional portion of the anthology series. The art and story are way under the high standards set in every prior issue. That said, the other two stories have very detailed art and very brutal storylines. Was the last week in July "International Noncon Hentai Week"?



1 August 2005 -- Issue 19

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy girl/girl; power exchange; bondage; futinari; incest; scat; humiliation; drugs; big breasts; suicide.

"Anzu"'s most angst-filled episode yet is a treat for the drama queens among the readers (myself included). "Blue Eyes" makes its expected appearance and delivers more of the same. Marshmallow's contribution is the most perverse and frenetic yet.



15 August 2005 -- Issue 20

Themes: consensual and nonconsensual sex; oral, vaginal, anal; bukkake; girl/boy girl/girl; power exchange; bondage; brief futinari; humiliation; drugs; big breasts.

"Megumi Raiders" ends its most recent story arc here, and the introduction of Rego Yokoi's style with "Used Doll" is a very nice way to end the 4-month run of AG that Icarus Publishing sent to us.



Summary: Compelling storylines, hot sex, and very graphic depictions of a myriad of situations, many of which can be classified as highly unpleasant, make AG an intriguing purchase, to say the least. I recommend it to those who like their hentai edgy, cruel, and beautiful.