▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		DEAN KOONTZ & QUEENIE CHAN QUEENIE CHAN
		▪	FORMAT:		WESTERN / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		216
		▪	RATING:		NR
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		06/24/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		06/15/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

The original English language manga story introduces the reader to the town of Pico Mundo, California.  A place not too big or too small, where things seem quiet --- at least on the outside.  But for the young man Odd Thomas, his ability to see ghosts makes life in his hometown anything except boring.  An unassuming fry cook, Odd is armed only with his spatula and pure heart in a fallen world of stalkers and murderers.  Aided greatly by his sassy girlfriend Stormy and the chief of police, Odd races to bring a child murderer to justice before the killer targets someone close to Odd.

This prequel to Dean Koontz’s first Odd Thomas novel will delight fans of the series.  For newcomers to Odd, this is a great way to become immersed in the world and hunger for more.  Although I have not read a single Odd Thomas novel, I can promise you that after reading this manga, I will be eagerly reading all of them.

First and foremost in its appeal is the main character.  Odd doesn’t pack a gun.  He’s not there to mete out vengeance.  He is one of the most kind and decent of people.  Instead of reacting with violence, Odd is compelled to seek justice.  He helps find the killers and helps the police catch the bad guy.  His unassuming charm is disarming and makes him an immediately likeable and unusually innocent hero.  His girlfriend Stormy is just as irresistible with her sass and utter devotion to Odd.  She is strong-willed and independent, and her banter with Odd is filled with clever repartee.  The secondary characters have an idyllic appeal, for example Chief Porter as the father figure.

It is the dichotomy between the kind and decent hero and his friends against the horror and mystery they are involved in that is the other arresting point of interest.  The creator even addresses this dichotomy in this essay, an exciting bonus in the manga as he describes the characters as “full of grace in a fallen world.”  Odd, Stormy and Porter are the people we wished were our friends and family and hope to find such goodness in ourselves.  And should the worst of the worst happen, we couldn’t imagine any other group that one could wish to look after the unrested soul to find it peace.

The illustrations of Queenie Chan, of The Dreaming, have a refreshing and clear look, which eases the eye through the engrossing story.  Bonuses at the end of the book include an original essay by Dean Koontz on Odd and the series, as well as an excerpt from the first chapter of his novel Odd Thomas, and character design sketches by Queenie Chan.

IN SUMMARY:
The original prequel to Dean Koontz’s New York Times best-selling Odd Thomas series serves up a nightmarish mystery, a race against the clock, and a hero as warm and welcome as homemade pancakes.