ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!

Vampire Free Style reviewed by LillyHawk - (www.gothicblend.net) Recently something cute and adorable found it's way onto my doorstep. Since I'm a sucker for such things, I just had to pick it up even though I knew it might bite. With a name like Vampire Free Style it probably had some teeth...But I had to find out what it was and what it was doing on my doorstep. With those big pleading eyes on the front cover of Issue #1, I couldn't resist seeing what was hidden inside. There is a delightful mix of mystery and mirth in each edition. After reading Issues 1-5 the mystery began to unfold and each one left us eager for the next. I say "us" because our 13 year old daughter discovered them hiding under my chair and absolutely fell in love with them, too! We both adore Vampire Free Style, just as if it were little lost kitten that had found us and we can't wait to see what will happen next. It was enjoyable in spite of the fact that English is not the author's native language. There are a few references that US readers may find obscure or bit confusing. But, this actually added to the charm and the settings of the stories. If you like a mixture of anime, magic, romance and mystery, then check out Vampire Free Style! I asked author Jenika Ioffreda what inspired these comics and here's what she had to say: "About what inspired me for the comic series, the main character, Micia, was inspired by a joke between me and my boyfriend years ago. We are both from Italy and in Italian language "Micia" it means "female cat" and it's quite common name for female cats. He was calling me Micia as a joke and I started to draw myself in a shape of cat whenever I needed to leave him a note. Slowly the cat that I was drawing more and more started to take a life of her own... and there Micia was born. In 2003 I moved from Italy to United Kingdom and while I was on the train going from the airport to central London, I saw the roofs of some houses and I started to think I wanted draw a new comic book about characters very familiar with roofs. The idea of a witch who was learning to fly come out and slowly all the other characters come out too. All the characters and situation are inspired by people I really met and situation I really lived and also by dreams I had while sleeping. "

Vampire Free Style reviewed by Andy Briggs from trappedbymonsters.com As Halloween approaches I hope you're all spooking yourself reading Tommy's superb SCREAM STREET series! But what to do once you've read (and re-read, yes Tommy, stop poking me with that broken monster rib) those? Well, sometimes it's good to stumble on something new. During last weekend's comic expo at the eXcel arena in London, not only was I delighted that my horror graphic novel, RITUAL, sold out, but I was able to find new comics I'd previously never heard of. Once such one comic was VAMPIRE FREE STYLE (self-published by Neptune Factory). It's a magical fantasy romp (with Manga overtones) about a prince seeking his princess through the help of a cool cat called Micia. It's a quick read, delightfully illustrated and quirky (I loved the witch who was learning to fly). It's not the kind of thing I normally go for, but there was something about the artwork that caught my eye. You can check out more here: www.neptunefactory.com But the moral of this tale is; don't be afraid of trying something new - you WILL be surprised. Happy Halloween everyone!

Vampire Free Style reviewed by Carl Doherty from Holycr4p.com Vampires, vampires everywhere, and not a drop to drink. The monster so popular they’ve practically had an entire genre erected around them... and so on. Though calling the modern Nosferatu a “monster” is something of an overgeneralization, given the number of thoroughly decent bloodsuckers that have descended from Bram Stoker’s tragic immortal. Vampire Free Style has one such amiable vamp, though there’s a fair bit more to this series than the usual boy-with-fangs meets girl premise.   Vampire Free Style primarily follows witch boy in training Padroncino, his search for his missing girlfriend and Micia, the stray cat he befriends. Micia is clearly more than your common street feline, and dreams of a presumably previous life as a human. A third plot strand, which begins with the introduction of the aforementioned vampire Edward, and flashbacks to his life 300 years prior, slowly joins the dots as to the fate of Padroncino’s beloved and the identity of his implausibly cute pussycat.   What impressed me most about Jenika Ioffreda’s story is how much appears to have happened in just three issues; though Issue 4 (of 6) has numerous revelations, it still clings dearly to its secrets. As with any long running narrative, dipping into Vampire Free Style midway is a rather daunting experience; hopefully the series will be compiled once it’s completed. A recap is included on the inside front cover, but there’s so much to take in that trying to digest it all is likely to give you a headache.   Ioffreda’s monochromic art is absolutely charming, blending the Eastern sensitivities of Studio Gibli animes such as Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away with the inherent Englishness of vampire fiction and old Hammer Horrors. I was going to comment that it’s not difficult to imagine the eyeballed silhouette of black cat Micia making its way to T-shirts sometime soon, but those are already available from the site. She’s an endearing creation that has swiftly become the series’ mascot.   Tonally the antithesis of its title, Vampire Free Style is a very sweet book. But it also presents an interesting enough mystery to appeal to more than romantic Goth girlies – not that I’m belittling that particular demographic in any way whatsoever. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read, recommendable to all ages and genders.

Vampire Free Style reviewed by Tim Girard from Blog Critics Magazine (http://blogcritics.org)

I cut my teeth on comic books. Well, in its fashion. I grew up reading the horrific Marvel Star Wars side universe and graduated to more ruthless titles such as the Uncanny X-men and Spiderman. Mine was a world of violence and superhero throwdowns that were bloody and filled with rage. (In its own respect it was very much the predecessor for the WWF and the more provocative UFC.) I was a witness to the comic atrocities of the Mutant Massacre and the eventual Fall of the Mutants. I was around when Marvel instituted the Mutant Registry Act and I was a bystander when Wolverine and Spiderman beat on one another. I stalked the night with the Green Arrow and met four little turtles way back before they were a cartoon or a live action movie. I helped shoulder Cub when Lone Wolf trekked through the wilderness. I have seen devils rise and angels fall. I know my way around a comic book.

I understand the animated world. Go back in time to Ralph Baskhi' Lord of the Rings. I was there. Go back to Disney's early Symphonies. (I'm not that old but I grew up with them.) Japanimation lurked in the shadows. Films like Akira and Vampire Hunter D were an undercurrent in the animated world. In the nineties, animators hooked into the comic world, spawning the afore mentioned X-Men and a plethora of other titles. Following these titles were spin offs like Teen Titans that played on the manga concept yet held a ferocious spirit as well.

All this brings me to Vampire Free Style. Written and drawn by Jenika Ioffreda, Vampire Free Style tells the story of a cat, a witch in training, and a vampire. I have to admit this is gross simplicity at its finest. The story is much more complicated than that. There is a host of characters, a history (one which the reader travels through as characters are revealed), and a missing girl.

Ioffreda takes her time in a whimsical fashion. The characters seem to be a visual hybrid of Dave McKean from his work on the Sandman series. (Neil Gaiman is an influence according to Ioffreda's website.) They are drawn elegantly, and one cannot help but appreciate these characters for what they are. That being said, I do have to take some issue with the cat. The cat within the story functions as an almost living vessel for the missing girl. It is as if she were the cursed princess waiting for her release. For me, the cat's drawn style was distracting - much like watching an American cartoon that is heavily influenced by manga where the character is transformed into something absurd and loud only to revert back to its original form. (Teen Titans was renowned for this.) The cat seems out of place. I know this is by design. And I know there are fans out there saying 'duh' (my daughter is one of them!). For me, the cat seems a little too Disney Formula, a little too playing by the rules of cute sidekick.

That is where I find myself with the story. Not formulaic. Vampire Free Style is anything but formulaic. If it were a meal, I would say it is something of a dessert: light, airy, and not too heavy. The artwork is splendid, and one sees a tremendous amount of time and love has been put into crafting not only the characters and the story, but the appearance as well. The pages are professional, glossy, and showcase the talent behind the creator rather than the printer. My hat's off to Miss Ioffreda for her undertaking!

Would I recommend Vampire Free Style? I would. I would caution those of the exceeding testosterone inclinations; this ain't your Poppa's comic. This is something different. Don't expect snarls and claws, goofy quips from spandex masks. Expect something a little different, a little ethereal. In a genre inundated by impossible bosoms and muscles, something a little different isn't so bad. In fact, I would recommend it every now and then - and Vampire Free Style is a good place to start.

Vampire Free Style issue 4 reviewed by Richard Bruton - Forbidden Planet International (www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog)

Jenika was kind enough to send me issue 4 of her great Vampire Free Style recently. You may remember that I said of the first 3 issues back in April 2008:

Vampire Free Style is an absolutely delightful book, with much to offer to a wide range of comic and non-comic readers. There's a lightness and playfulness throughout the book but the cuteness coexists happily with a sense of loss and sadness that, if Jenika handles it right in forthcoming issues, will make this book far more than the cute Manga Goth book it superficially resembles. It's a modern little fairy story, mixing gothic romance with a great sense of fun in both writing and art.

In these first three issues we're introduced to a young trainee witch boy with a habit of jumping off roofs trying to fly his broomstick. Our young witch boy meets an interesting cat on his latest aborted flying lesson. But this black cat, Micia, is no ordinary cat and she seems to be linked not only to Padroncino (the witch boy), but also with Edward, leader of a group of Goths who can only see a beautiful Death like Goth girl whenever he looks at Micia. Obviously there is more to this cat than meets the eye.

Indeed there appears to be much more to so many of the cast of characters. Padroncino is desperately searching for the girlfriend who mysteriously disappeared; there are witches and witchcraft everywhere, and more questions than answers so far. The interweaving of their stories is seen, by the start of issue three, to last through the centuries. Lost necklaces, secret masters living in the darkness, and of course, at some point we find out why it's called Vampire Free Style. Although, with so many Goths around, it was no surprise to find out that someone with a thirst for blood would be showing up.

And with issue 4, it all starts coming together a little more. Edward, recently bitten by a vampire is dreaming of his past life, 300 years ago, where we find out that not only was he a Vampire himself, but he fell in love with a mortal called Elea.

And on the looks alone, it's very likely this Elea is the same Elea that our despairing and heartbroken witch boy Padroncino is looking for after she mysteriously disappeared. Strange that she should disappear just before that cute black cat Micia appeared.

Whilst this issue is all about story, Jenika still manages to get moments of intense sadness and loss in, as well as a great comedy routine with Padroncino trying his best to work a transforming spell that's playing havoc with Micia

Vampire Free Style is really developing into a very good comic and Jenika seems to be able to work the very difficult balancing act of manga hi-jinks and comedy against a backdrop of Gothic romance and supernatural thriller very well indeed. The art is lovely, the stories getting better and better.

My only complaint? It's been at least 9 months between issue 3 and this issue. I'd love to see them more often.

Vampire Free Style issues 1, 2, 3, 4 reviewed by Eden - (www.comicsgirl.com)

There are going to be certain expectations attached to a manga-style comic book featuring vampires that is created by a young woman — and mostly, these expectations aren’t good. It’s something that in incompetent hands can be disappointing amateur, too much of a self-indulgent fantasy for the goth girl behind it.

I’m glad to say that Vampire Free Style defied those expectations. In the hands of London-based creator Jenika Ioffreda (who was kind enough to send these copies for me to review all the way from England), this series is a surprising delight.

Young boy witch-in-training Padroncino is mourning his missing girlfriend when he finds a black cat he dubs Micia. Micia also grabs the attention of the mysterious Edward, who sees a mysterious young woman any time Micia is around. There’s also an ancient curse, a necklace and a creepy hooded figure known as the Master. These are all typically delightful stock characters from any dark shoujo manga you can find.

Self-published and obviously a labor of love, Vampire Free Style does start off a bit shakily — it does feel like it takes Ioffreda a little while to find her voice — but even from the first issue, she has a good eye for detail (Padroncino’s room is wonderfully messy, with an unmade bed and posters taped to the wall). As the series progresses, so does Ioffreda’s art — it was lovely from the beginning, but it becomes stronger and more expressive with each subsequent issue.

Ioffreda doesn’t seem afraid to let her influences shine — she says she’s a fan of Death: The High Cost of Living and Nana and echoes of those titles can be felt here from the cute artwork to the wonderful attention paid to the clothes.

Ioffreda seems like she is still growing as both an artist and a writer, though. The goofy bits with Auntie Margherita, who likes to dress Micia in various cute outfits, feel like unnecessary comic relief. And by the end of the fourth issue, it felt like the story was really just getting started — too much time was spent on establishing the characters before the plot kicked in.

But these are relatively minor complaints — Ioffreda is a talent to watch, and there’s a playfulness to her work. Her love for what she’s doing shines through and left me with a great affection for her work. I was surprised at how engrossed I became in the story and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Vampire Free Style is a series of comic books, currently up to issue 3 and destined to be 6 issues in length. The books are a gothic fairytale in which we meet a cast of characters but our story proper surrounds Micia, a sweet black cat who can speak with the stars.
She is linked to Padroncino, a witch boy who is trying to learn how to fly (with little success) and is searching for his girlfriend who has vanished without a trace. Through the comics we see flashbacks to memories of Padroncino from Micia.
There is also Edward a man whose path keeps crossing that of Micia. When near the cat he sees a vision of a girl clad in black, surely Padroncino's missing girlfriend. As I mentioned this is a gothic fairytale and the story ties these characters in deeply together, with hints of a history going back 300 years. The story itself is complex and interesting, though the dialogue can be a little off at times. However, this is a minor criticism and, if anything, adds a formality to the dialogue that works in the setting.

Where this really succeeds is with the illustrations, worked in black and grey they carry a cuteness within that is underscored with a sumptuousness, which merges the gothic element with a magical mischievousness. This mischievousness is complimented by story asides, such as a little clay idol that teases Micia in a magic shop. The shop, incidentally, is owned by Auntie Margherita a character whose face we never see but who has a perchance for dressing the long suffering cat in costumes to comic effect. It is, again, the visual aspects of such impish humour that really works.

Now, to this point I have not mentioned vampires and this is the reason I have looked at these 3 issues in the form of an honourable mention. It is at the very end of the third volume that our vampiric activity begins literally over the last three pages when Edward is reawakened as a vampire. Obviously in the fourth volume the vampire aspects will come more into play.
A beautiful trip into a dark fable, with enough story revealed and questions raised within the reader's mind to both intrigue and bring them back into the beautifully drawn world.

Vampire Free Style issues 1, 2, 3 reviewed by Richard Bruton - Forbidden Planet International (www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk)

Vampire Free Style is an absolutely delightful book, with much to offer to a wide range of comic and non-comic readers. There’s a lightness and playfulness throughout the book but the cuteness coexists happily with a sense of loss and sadness that, if Jenika handles it right in forthcoming issues, will make this book far more than the cute Manga Goth book it superficially resembles. It’s a modern little fairy story, mixing gothic romance with a great sense of fun in both writing and art.

In these first three issues we’re introduced to a young trainee witch boy with a habit of jumping off roofs trying to fly his broomstick. Our young witch boy meets an interesting cat on his latest aborted flying lesson. But this black cat, Micia, is no ordinary cat and she seems to be linked not only to Padroncino (the witch boy), but also with Edward, leader of a group of Goths who can only see a beautiful Death like Goth girl whenever he looks at Micia. Obviously there is more to this cat than meets the eye.

Indeed there appears to be much more to so many of the cast of characters. Padroncino is desperately searching for the girlfriend who mysteriously disappeared; there are witches and witchcraft everywhere, and more questions than answers so far. The interweaving of their stories is seen, by the start of issue three, to last through the centuries. Lost necklaces, secret masters living in the darkness, and of course, at some point we find out why it’s called Vampire Free Style. Although, with so many Goths around, it was no surprise to find out that someone with a thirst for blood would be showing up.

Jenika’s writing is fun and packed with spirit and raw energy and very occasionally small slips in the dialogue (Jenika’s Italian by birth and arrived here just 5 years ago), but the fun and the energy more than make up for this every time. Her artwork is a curious mix of styles; the obvious reference point for me is Neil Gaiman’s Death series, as one of the lead characters in Vampire Free Style is a stereotypical Goth girl with a penchant for top hats. But there’s also a very westernised Manga look to it complete with bighead moments galore, shifting artistic styles and androgynous boys and girls. And I can also see elements of Charles Vess and P Craig Russell in there as well.

Finally a word on the physical comic itself. If you have an image of small press comics as some dodgy little black and white photocopy you’re in the wrong place. Vampire Free Style, like many of the current crop of great UK comics, is very professionally produced with gorgeous colour covers and crisp stark black and white interior pages in a handy A5 size. The production values of the whole thing match Jenika’s skill and artistry. Each cover is a lovely, simple image that invites you into the delightful, wistful and romantic comic inside.

Here is what indiereview.co.uk has to say about Vampire Free Style:

Jenika Ioffreda is the writer and artist of the gorgeous Vampire Free Style. Under the tag of Neptune Factory, Jenika has been producing some great comics for a while, starting back in 2002. Reading Vampire Free Style, it's hard not to love it.
In Vampire Free Style, the story feels very grand. The loss of love, and the magical element really lend to it, and it works as a story. Although, Jenika's writing, especially the dialogue can be off; some speech bubbles read slightly awkwardly and can draw you out of the story. However, the overall storyline in each issue is what works, and it's interesting to say the least.

What really shines out when reading a Jenika comic book, is her artwork. The style is a brilliant mix between simplistic Western style art and the more manga-feeling artwork. It combines to create something individual, while also being wholly recognisable. I feel it would work a lot better in full colour, but that's a triviality. And that black cat is the cutest thing you'll ever see.

Jenika shows promise, her artwork is spot on for what she's doing and with no real slip ups in each issue, you can tell she's comfortable with it, and has settled into the style. Her overall storytelling seems brilliant, and it also works as a piece overall, although some of her dialogue could use a bit more work. It's hard to recommend Jenika to anyone group in particular, but really you should check her out.

Vampire Free Style issue # 1 reviewed by Alexandra (www.sequentialtart.com)

There's not a whole lot of story development in the first issue of Vampire Free Style, but we are introduced to a variety of interesting characters. We first meet a prince who has lost his princess. His character seems to be a witch in training. At least I hope he is in training because he's not very good at broom riding. He is joined by a magical black cat that is more than what she seems and also totally adorable.

I loved the ending, which leaves you with a mystery about who these characters really are. Is the cat really a cat? Who is the lost princess? ... and who is this guy Ed who sees the cat as someone completely different. These are all questions I'm sure will be explained. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.

The art is stylistic and beautiful. It makes you want to turn the pages and truly brings the story to life. It gives the book a certain ambiance that makes you feel like magic awaits you inside. For a self published comic, it was done exceedingly well.

"... Now, you may not have ever heard of this book before but you will. And normally I don't do this, but at the end of this review, I'm going to post a link to the place where you can find this book, because I think this book is just that good.

There are several things about this book that will stand out in your mind as you are reading it and - more importantly long after you've put it down. First and foremost, there is the creator: Jenika Ioffreda. With such an unforgettable and yeah cool name, Ioffreda could rest on her name alone for recognition, but this is a creator who is much more than a namesake.

Ioffreda handles the art and the writing on this digest-sized gem. Let's get to the art first, since that is what caught my attention first. Ioffreda has a smooth style that can range from the lifelike to the cartoony on the same panel. And Ioffreda truly brings her characters to life by packing tons of emotion into her art. This is a book that will make you laugh and get misty-eyed from the art alone but then there's the story.

Ioffreda delivers a heartbreaking gothic fairy tale of a "prince" who has lost his "princess" and doesn't know why. Trying to pick up the pieces and move on, this prince finds a new companion of sorts with a mysterious black cat he later names Micia. And as we soon discover, there is much more to this creature and the "prince" - than first meets the eye.

Don't let the title of this one fool you. This is not a horror tale. In fact, at this point, I can't even tell you how the "vampire" fits into Vampire Free Style yet.
This is a touching, magical tale that begs to be told, brought to life by some of the freshest art I have seen in ages. Two simple lines bring this book to a close: "once upon a dream. Now we have only to draw it." Here's to hoping that Ioffreda draws and writes the rest of this tale soon!"

Suggested for readers ages 9 and up.

Overall grade = A

"...Someone has gone missing. Her friend longs to see her again but has no clues as to what has happened to her. He should be able to track something done, seeing as he dabbles in magic and has an aunt and sister who also share his skill, but to no avail. Into his life wanders a stray black cat. He gives it a home, but the cat seems to know things about the young man and his family. She also attracts the attention of Edward, an elegant man about town who knows his share of magic and senses that the cat is more than she appears...

Strongly influenced by manga storytelling techniques and graphic design, this book has a very professional quality about it. The artwork is engaging in its detail and charm. There's some great use of greyscale here as well as interesting detailing. The Goth inspired look of many of the characters is smartly done without any titillation. And the central character of the cat Micia is soooo cute!! The book uses the techniques that many will recognise from manga such as the mix of very cartonish drawings for humorous actions and more developed work for the majority of the story. In much manga this mix becomes confusing and diverts from the plot, but Jenika avoids this by keeping the plot central.

The pacing on display in these two books suggests that Jenika has a long saga in mind that involves an interesting array of characters. There is a lot to keep the reader engaged in the mix of humour, mystery and magic. I'd planned just to review issue one this evening, by once I'd finished I just had to go find where I'd left issue two and read it straight away."

In a Word: Enchanting

Exhibitor review - Uk Web and Mini Comix Thing 2007

What is it: Vampire Free Style is a manga styled series of comics written drawn and published by Jenika Ioffreda, a lovely lady who likes vampires and all things dark and ookie.

Why should I read it? Because of the atmospheric, gothy artwork, the engaging storyline, and the very very very cute cat. Vampire Free Style deserves to be a big favourite with the goth and manga crowdes.

Here is a review by IndyComicReview.com:

Writing: By the end of the book, I wasn't entirely sure as to what was going on and how all of these characters fit together, but I really enjoyed the humor and the sort of idealized romance that flavored this issue.
Artwork: The art was somewhere between Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and a more standard Anime style, but it still came across as its own to me. It complemented the romantic tone of the story perfectly.
Overall: 4/5 stars. This was a really sweet story that got off to a great start and left me wanting to know more about the characters and where they were going.
Alex Haas

Writing: There were a few technical/editing glitches in the book that I found distracting, but overall it was well put together. I liked the balance and blend of emotions in this title. The humor kept it from being too mopey and emo, while the
more serious feelings kept it from being to slapstick-y.
Overall: 4/5 stars. Quirky, but endearing.
Robert Weiman

Writing: This certainly isn't the type of book that I would pick up for myself at astore. It just isn't the genre that I care to read. But after reading it, I can say that I didn't hate this book...in fact it was pretty good. I think what sold me on it was the
Artwork. Now I didn't like all the artwork as I thought the little cute Manga like touches with the cat were a bit to cutesy for me. The rest of the artwork was very good though.
As for the writing, it was interesting but it was SO jumpy that I always felt like I was trying to catch up with what was going on. Scenes and thought processes seemed to shift without warning and without having context.
Overall: 3/5 stars. Better than I anticipated as this isn't my usual taste in books. I would be curious to see where this goes in the future...as long as I can keep up with it.
Ron Miller

Here is the review from Web Comic World (www.webcomicworld.blogspot.com)

We all know the Prince and Princess stories. We know the Princess in her dress who longs for her Prince, or the Prince with a dodgy haircut who sacrifices his life for his true Princess. It's been regurgitated more times than a Britney Spears rehab scoop. How refreshing it is to see that old story given a nice little twist.
It all starts with that familiar line that you get in most fable books or fairy tales; 'The dark fable is about to start...' We are then transported to the first page which shows our Prince longing to find his Princess. Only that our Prince is dressed in very modern clothes and looks...regular.
I'm not a keen fan of anime art but the drawing in this is tight and consistent. The black and white look has been very well handled by Jenika. There are some panels with a blurry effect which look really cool. The problem I've had with anime is the lack of a respectable artistic structure. Jenika has proven to me that anime can look good and respectable, without being cartoony and a complete joke.
Not one to give too much away, Issue 1 really just sets the scene with the main character that is the Prince and a black cat that he finds and be-friends. The cat joins the Prince on his quest to find his Princess which leads them to a library with that presents us with an interesting scene. The end of this issue sets things up nicely for the following installment.
I would have like to see the relationship with the Prince and the cat developed a bit more in this issue. Their friendship seemed a bit too rushed. More dialouge from the Prince and reactions from the cat would have been a nice addition. Anyhow, I look forward to the next installment. Jenika has a simple story here that has my taste buds tickled so far...

Here is a review by Kat
www.katavila.com

Vampire free style is magical. When you open up issue no.1, you are lead into a charming night world by a saucer-eyed black cat. Because Micia can only kitty-speak like "miou" and "miaaa", the reader must piece together the mistery of where the cat comes from.
A crestfallen witch boy searches for his missing girlfriend. Meanwhile, a goateed man named Ed finds himself talking to a cat who may be in danger and needs his help.
Jenika's phrasing can be awkward sometimes (English is not her first language), but the meaning is easily grasped. The sweetness of her artwork provides a refreshing contrast with the darker story.

Here is a review by Allan from the Comic Creator Guild (www.comicscreatorsguild.co.uk):

A young man, who is apparently learning to be a witch, mourns the loss of his love. Where she has gone, he knows not, but he spends much of his time desparately seeking answers. A cute black cat comes into his life one day, and though he doesn't yet know it, the young witch may find the feline is much more than she appears.

Vampire Free Style is written and drawn by Ioffreda in an unabashed Manga style. The art is strong, with a fluid line and superior figure drawing. The characters -- especially the oh-so cute cat -- come alive thanks to the artist's familiarity with depicting body language. I was reminded in places of the art of Svetlana Chmakova (Dramacon). There's a lovely full page piece of pencil art at the back, so anyone out there who fancies themselves as a Manga inker - this is the place to come to hone your skills.

It's only the first issue so the story doesn't get very far, but what is there is certainly intriguing. It's also laugh out loud funny. This is one to watch.

Vampire Free Style reviewed by Optical Sloth (www.opticalsloth.com)

Who's in the mood for a good gothic fairy tale? This is the story of a prince looking for his lost princess, a witch learning how to fly, a nosy aunt who dresses up cats, a young man who is curious about the same cat, and, of course, the cat, who seems to know a lot about what's going on. It's essentially good clean fun for all ages, with some nice creepy atmospheric art. Oh, and one bleeped out "fuck", so maybe it's not going to be for all ages for long, who knows? In this issue we see the cat meet up with the witch and the curious young man and get the barest glimpse of what's to come, but luckily I got the next few issues along with this one in the mail so it won't be a mystery for long. I'm a bit mystified about the price, but let's say around $5 and leave it at that as that's a gorgeous cover and it's a pretty thick book. Of course, you could always just wander around that website listed above, maybe contact Jenika and find out for yourself..