Presents, Vol. 2 (CMX)

An ageless little girl named Kurumi is doomed to roam the earth, dispensing grim presents to unsuspecting victims while she tries to locate her own gift and find eternal peace. Kurumi's travels bring her to a meeting with none other than Santa Claus! But it's a darker St. Nick than you've ever seen. This not-so-Jolly old elf has been cursed with the power to see the future of the children he visits -- and for those who will grow up to be killers, a regretful Santa has had to dispense his own rough justice. Then Kurumi goes head to head with another, equally legendary figure -- the Grim Reaper himself!

From Publishers Weekly

This anthology of tight, horrific tales stars Kurumi, a girl who never received a birthday present and therefore never ages. Thereafter, she drops into people's lives with gifts that often lead to death while exposing people for their shallow attributes. This second volume offers more twists and turns to these vignettes, giving them unexpected, if not morbid, outcomes. Inuki (School Yard) uses Kurumi as more of a narrator in this volume, with a less active role, and introducing other key characters in an array of plot lines: vengeful Santas and jealous girls competing for attention. Inuki's be careful of what you wish for message from the previous volume is still strong but isn't overbearing. There always seems to be a moral to the story or a lesson learned, without heavy moralizing. There is also more graphic violence and macabre detail this time around. Her style is very much in line with horror godfather Umezu, and the classic aesthetic does well in depicting these fascinating, almost perverse, stories. (Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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