New Bad Girl in Town

Serenity #1

by Realbuzz Studios

AMERICA'S PREMIER INSPIRATIONAL MANGA! Meet Serenity, a lonley teen from a broken family who just wants to be accepted--but who tends to lash out at others with anger and obnoxious sarcasm. At her new school, the Christian prayer group takes Serenity on as a "project," showing her friendship and love. . .but will even that be enough to crack her hard shell? Sharply illustrated in full color, BAD Girl in Town features realistic storylines and dialogue, and shares a solid biblical message with tween and teen girls.

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Christian, Comics, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kiki H]

This comic is absolutely horrible. I read it as a kid and found it again and decided to re-read it...ugh. I get that this is supposed to be a sad girl who is a rebel, who gets help but WOW. These characters are so fake they may as well not even try, and I don't think they did. These kids make serenity their "project" which is kind of insulting. They want to help, but by shaming aspects of her personality rather than talking to her. She needs a therapist not the bible. She needs her mother, not you telling her she shouldn't curse. In reality, girls like serenity are depressed and troubled, and people trying to reinvent them in their image only hurts them worse. Serenity it's just a hat trick of stereotypes and tropes. She's vapid, selfish, and flaky. Also, the art is terrible. Almost as bad as the usage of the word "Dawgz" seriously. With a Z. I can only imagine this would be good for Christian parents to give to their kids if they want their kids to know Christians are better than everyone and making people with less privileges than you a project is a good moral choice.

[Toviel]

SERENITY is one of those comics that I brought over a decade ago because I thought the cartoon girl on the cover was hot. As far as impulse buys go, I've done worse-- in fact, I found the series very inspirational when I was thirteen . That doesn't change the fact it's not the sort of thing that a gay pagan like myself usually reads.

The story itself is about a Christian prayer group trying to reform a broken girl with a rebellious streak. Unfortunately, the first volume is VERY shallow, and takes Serenity's problems are something friendship can make better. Serenity herself, however, is quite believable; her outbursts and self-destructive nature may be over the top and melodramatic, but they make sense for a teenager who has no support system and good reason to not trust authority figures. I really found myself rooting for her to find her path back to the light. However, too much time was spent on goofy hi-jinks at Serenity's expense, instead of giving her the serious attention she deserves.

At least it's not very preachy.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

This mess is an insult to Christianity! Rife with implied profanity and despicable characters, this is only enjoyable in a train wreck, Kate Gosselin sort of way. I can't believe I spent my hard-earned cash on six volumes of this series!

[Aly]

I read this in 2008 and now I'm queer.

[Christine B]

This graphic novel/manga was really a great read. It dealt with everyday teenager life while introducing a Christian way of living. The friends of the Prayer Club are there for eachother and for the new girl, Serenity, who is far away from the way they themselves act and behave. Yet even when she messes up they forgive her, mirrorring Jesus' forgiveness. The graphics were nicely illustrated, another aspect that makes this book so good.

For a younger Christian reader, there are a lot of instances were Serenity swears, but they are always blocked out. Overall her behaviour and language is harsh to match her personality. Also there is a scene were sex and protection is mentioned and tried to be initiated but does not occur. The character involved with Serenity stays strong in his faith and does not succumb to her sexual advances.

The book is the first in the series and is a great start. Making the readers want to read the next book that follows.

[i have moments of nonthinkingness *miranda*]

These are great books! i really LOVE them! in this book Serenity swears a lot but they block it out. if you use your imagination you could prob. figure out what she says tho. oh...there is a bit of a sexual scene when serenity is trying to "score" Derek but there is no kissing and he walks away...nothing happened. younger kids may ask questions tho bcuz Serenity metions "protection" and calls herself a slut, and kinda for obvious reasons. her outfit is sugestive to.

[Wendy]

Read to see if my 12 year old might like, but set in high school so touched on subjects a little too mature for 6th grade. I really liked the concept: Christian graphic novel, but the content was a little sketchy. The main character is a "bad girl" from a broken home, but the Christian kids seem more concerned about the language she uses than the major issues she has going on in her life.

[Macy]

Not bad, not as preachy as you would think.

[Samantha Osborne]

i really enjoyed this i will be continuing with the series

[Jenn]

The art is cute, the idea is interesting, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Huge jumps in story, the story was very shallow, characters were very superficial which is even wider considering the message. I really wanted to like this, but unfortunately it's a bust.

[David]

Worth it for Stan Lee’s recommendation of a Christian comic.

[Water Viper]

Great book

[kalyx]

leaving unrated; i have no desire to bully.

[Jordan]

Worst book I ever read in my whole life

[Aegelis]

Oh No, Not the Christians!

Serenity's rebellious nature, is it environment? Personality? A bit of both? One of her greatest irritations is a pack of Christians in her new school, but surely she can outsmart those gullible Bible-thumpers.

I side with Serenity a bit in the beginning with the goody two-shoes know-it-alls doing weird things like being friendly without an agenda, inviting her to Bible study, and quoting a bunch of principles written by dead guys long ago, but circumstances cause strange allies, so she figures she can turn the tables to her advantage.

Schemes abound as Ms. Harper makes social chess move after chess move but something is beginning to change inside whether she realizes or not. Fun read, enjoy even the references at the end, looking forward to the next.

[D.M. Dutcher]

Inspirational manga that gets points for being less preachy than you think. Serenity is a troubled girl who becomes somewhat of a project for a local clique of christian friends. They try to befriend her and help out, but she is a wild one and has her own motives.

The art is pretty basic. Think Archie comics-style manga-esque, and it's nowhere near the level of Blue Monday, Vol. 1: The Kids Are Alright. The story is basic as well, and wont win many awards, but Serenity comes across as a character in her own right, as do the other Christians. They have much more motivation than normal in such works-Serenity tries to come on to one of the boys, there is some jealousy, mistrust, and a more honest look at the idea than you'd expect. That elevates it from 2 to 3 stars. There are even some decent funny moments: one of the Christians surprised Serenity by outswearing her: she explains its because her dad is a drill instructor, and you have a fairly hilarious picture of him in superdeformed mode.

It's not going to convert anyone, but it's a step above the usual propaganda many Christian works can be.

[Holly Letson]

My fiance' recently bought me V3-V6 of the Serenity series, so I was delighted to find V1 & V2, when he took me to the Liberty Lake Library. That way, I could read the entire "single story" series at once. (After V6, the series continues in the "double story" volumes.)

*Serenity* is a religious OEL manga that deals with some tough issues, and trying to solve those and become a better person by becoming a Christian. Therefore, it makes the most sense to read them together in-order.

In this first volume, Serenity has moved to a new school, and is a troublesome teenager that wants nothing to do with any of the other teens. She wants only to cause trouble. But, she meets up with the *Prayer Club*, and they want to try to turn her life around, and help her to find God, reason, and love for others and herself.

[Daisy]

Can I just say this is the most ridiculously fake "manga" I have ever seen. And it's very Jesus. If Jesus puked into the soul of some fat dude trying to make a few bucks drawing horrible manga-like doodles, this would be the outcome. And it would suck, as this does. I read the Snow Biz one as well. Please don't read this. Go read some real manga, people. Hell, read the bible too. I don't care! Just burn this book. For everyone's sake.

[Amber Brown]

Serenity is a teenage girl who just starts going to a new school. She acts out in school a lot. She is also mean and rude to everyone in the school. The students, the teachers and the principle. She especially causes trouble at home with her mother. She just doesn't care! I think she just wants to me like everyone else on the inside, but lets out all of her anger when she's around people.

[Michele]

Serenity is definitely in need of kindness. The kids in the Youth Group are putting into practice what their faith teaches and loving the unlovable. Chapter and Verse section at end of book cites scripture that influenced the kids' actions.

[Sarah]

I loved this book. It tought me something and I really liked this book!

[Swantje]

My first inspirational Manga. Good believable story. The Christian students were not preachy or anything like that, but real and welcoming. I enjoyed the style of the graphics aw well.

[Gabrielle Link]

This book is really good!

[Heav]

This an ok read if you just want a quick book to read. It also has some religious concepts although it is a good book.

[Moyer Kopp]

I love this comic book <3 it's one my favorites!
More Christian comic books would be awesome! <3 keep doing what you do!

[Lanie]

The art is cute & it's a decent story. But nothing special. My favorite part of the book was actually the artwork. The kids' outfits were really good.

[Lavaughn Morris]

i think it was so nice and woderful

[Kyri]

Pretty good manga! It is a Christian Manga, so there's quite a bit of censorship, but besides that, it's a great, colorful, graphic novel that kept me wanting more!

[Hal Incandenza]

Raise your hand if you only read this because you were given a free copy from your local church.