Dark Horse Comics

“The only constant is change.”

How do teenagers stand it? Their lives are a terrifying minefield of emotional pressure bombs, lightning-fast shifts in identity, and unpredictable changes in alliances and alignments that make the Italian unification look like a game of tiddlywinks. I suppose that’s the tradeoff for being healthy, resilient, and tough as leather boots —you’ve got to be at the top of your game to handle being fourteen!

As the fifth volume in the continuing story of the life and loves of Ruri Gokou hits stores this week, our erstwhile Kuroneko, or “Black Cat”, has cast side her ebon petticoats and other darkly witchy gothic Lolita garb in favor of pale, floaty dresses trimmed in eyelet—and a jaunty straw hat which makes for a handy prop to be swept aloft for emphasis, or just a convenient thing to clench in the hand when the emotional stakes get really high. Ruri has plenty to keep her occupied, not only navigating the choppy waters of her combative friendship with golden girl Kirino—who is still kind of a bitch, though she is improving her interpersonal skills —but realizing that she has her heart on the line when it comes to Kirino’s trusty (and handsome) older brother, Kyousuke. 

The course of true love ne’er ran smooth, as they say, and it sure won’t when Kyousuke is kind of a typical dumb boy, and Ruri herself is so new to these strange feelings that she has to cloak every utterance in massively portentous (or is that “pretentious”?) verbiage. She’s not doing it to be difficult; Ruri truly is a sensitive creature of darkness and elaborate fantasy, and why would she ever compromise her sense of self just to fit into a world that doesn’t make sense, anyway? Her confidence and her incredible heart are admirable and relatable, and her story only grows more beautiful, true, and intense as the storyline continues. We all want Ruri to gain her heart’s desire. She truly deserves happiness and love. And, yet, it’s never that easy...

Assistant Editor

Jemiah Jefferson

“The only constant is change.”