MISC. MANGA, *Cutie Honey

Go Nagai's very first incarnation of the quick-change artist android began in this manga series now being released in English through Seven Seas Entertainment under their "The Classics Collection" label. Originally printed in 1973, Go Nagai created this sci-fi action fanservice series at the same time with the anime TV series of the same title. One of the first genuine superheroines to simultaneously getting her own manga and anime has set a standard for the genre that wouldn't get its just notoriety until the late 80s-early 90s with titles like Saint Seiya and Sailor Moon. Despite what many people think, this is not a magical girl manga as the character's powers are technological.

Honey Kisaragi is a synthetic lifeform brought to life by Dr. Kisaragi claiming to be her father, even though unlike in Astro Boy's origin, there is no evidence to suggest she was modeled after any formerly living person. Honey's father is targeted by the criminal group of female cyborgs, Panther Claw, run by its evil commander, the sadistic Sister Jill, who herself is guided by the gang's evil goddess, Panther Zora. Panther Claw wants the Airborne Element Solidifier lying in Honey's body which can change the molecular structure of anything. This allows Honey to transform into a superhero named Cutie Honey who uses various guides, weapons, and vehicles to fight the forces of evil. Panther Claw soon learns of Honey's real identity and target the girls school she lives in killing off all peers and teachers now matter how pervy they might have been. Honey then seeks shelter with her reporter friend Hayami Seiji along with his demented father and brother who are copied from Go Nagai's other manga series The Abarashi Family. The super android fakes her own death and in then infiltrates Panther Claw's headquarters after transforming into a golden statue. Cutey lays waste to the remaining Panther Claw members including a duel to the death with Sister Jill, although she supposedly battles Panther Zora off panel in what would have been a bombastic boss fight.

The manga differs from the original TV anime as there are loads more cheeky humor, including a police detective who doesn't wear pants because of his hemorrhoids or Honey's schoolmates who are constantly trying to get into shoujo-ai scenes with her. The manga also features an abundance of gore and violence despite the fact that its sister series was one of the first anime intended for mature audiences. Go Nagai's early artwork is on full display which varies entire sequences of gag manga cliches into a serious bloodbath as mainstay supporting characters are just blown to pieces in a stereotypical cartoon manner. The Classics Collection edition features both volumes of the 70's manga and doesn't get cut short like Cutie Honey A Go Go. While seeming like a standard anime superheroine on the cover, families should keep in mind that this is strictly intended for older readers.