Spy Goddess Manga(2008).
© Tokyopop & Harper Collins
Maniac Grade: A+
Manga: Spy Goddess
Rating: Teen (13+)
Written By: Michael P. Spradlin
Script By: Rachael Manija Brown
Illustrated By: Rainbow Buddy
Publisher: Tokyopop & Harper Collins
Price: $9.99
Spy Goddess
By: Nadia OxfordDate: Friday, April 25, 2008
Tokyopop's Spy Goddess is an Original English Language (OEL) manga adaptation of the novel series written by Michael P Spradlin. Both tack a bunch of “girly” traits on the main character in hopes that the female fanbase will find find something to relate to and/or wish for. Spy Goddess is, without a doubt, as shallow as a mud puddle, but the characters are so cliché, they border on parody. The result is a manga you won't soon recall if you're ever asked to make a list of your favourie titles, but you'll laugh a few times.
The main character, Rachel, is the rebellious reincarnation of the goddess Etherea. Her powers, though latent most of the time, give her the ability to kick butt when it counts. Truthfully, she'd rather shop, indulge in Japanese culture and squeal over boys (particularly her best friend's boyfriend).
After getting in trouble with the law, Rachel is sent to the Blackthorn Academy instead of jail, where she builds herself up as a member of a secret spy organisation. Ultimately she's called up with her “classmates” and ordered to go to Japan to study the theft of an artifact by a cow-loving cult that happens to be headed by Etherea's ancient foe.
Needless to say, Spy Goddess gets pretty silly at times and there's not much to like about its overpowered main character. In most writing communities, Rachel would be referred to as what is not-so-affectionately known as a “Mary Sue”--a perfect goddess of a character, though the “goddess” trait is actually, uh, literal in this manga.
On the other hand, there's definitely indication that you're not supposed to take Rachel seriously, or the Cow Death Cult, for that matter. The leader of said group wears boots with little bull horns glued on them.
The art is surprisingly subtle. Many OEL manga artists have a habit of using their own ideas about what contributes to a “manga” style, resulting in a lot of unnecessary speed lines and bad anatomy. The characters in Spy Goddess look a little young to be drooling over boys and fighting grown men, but they're pleasant enough to look at.
