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Venus in the Blind Spot
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A "best of" collection of creepy tales from Eisner award winner and legendary horror master Junji Ito.
This ultimate collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story "Human Chair" and fan favorite "The Enigma of Amigara Fault." In a deluxe presentation with special color pages and colo ...more
This ultimate collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story "Human Chair" and fan favorite "The Enigma of Amigara Fault." In a deluxe presentation with special color pages and colo ...more
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Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
August 18th 2020
by VIZ Media LLC
(first published February 28th 2019)
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Start your review of Venus in the Blind Spot
It's no secret that Junji Ito is a master of horror. This collection of short stories was marvellous, as to be expected. There's no doubt I'm going to be bingeing his content in the near future.
There was a great amount of variety in the type of horror Venus in the Blind Spot delivered. I found myself more closely glued to the pages than I've been in a long time. Ito's art is both lovely and haunting depending on circumstance; I could hardly turn away from his drawings, either.
While I thoroughly ...more
There was a great amount of variety in the type of horror Venus in the Blind Spot delivered. I found myself more closely glued to the pages than I've been in a long time. Ito's art is both lovely and haunting depending on circumstance; I could hardly turn away from his drawings, either.
While I thoroughly ...more
Viz Media’s blurb for Venus in the Blind Spot is really weird: it claims this is a “best of” collection of Junji Ito’s stories but, as far as I can tell, only one - maybe two - stories have previously appeared in print before: The Enigma of Amigara Fault and The Sad Tale of the Principal Post possibly both appeared in Dissolving Classroom. So this is a “best of” collection that features almost all-new stories!? The blurb also mentions special colour pages and illustrations from Ito’s latest book
...more
4.0 Stars
This was another solid collection from the brilliant and talented horror manga author, Junji Ito. Like all his previous work, the artwork was stunning, disturbing and disgusting… often at the same time. As with any short story collections, there were standouts and forgettable ones.
Personal Favourites:
Billions Alone… This was my favourite of the "new-to-me" stories in the collection. It one felt so timely, warning against the dangers of social gatherings and rewarding those who choose t ...more
This was another solid collection from the brilliant and talented horror manga author, Junji Ito. Like all his previous work, the artwork was stunning, disturbing and disgusting… often at the same time. As with any short story collections, there were standouts and forgettable ones.
Personal Favourites:
Billions Alone… This was my favourite of the "new-to-me" stories in the collection. It one felt so timely, warning against the dangers of social gatherings and rewarding those who choose t ...more
Over the weekend I finally got to reading Junji Ito’s manga, devouring all three volumes of Uzumaki in as many days. So while I haven’t exactly read enough of this horror master’s work to know what constitutes the “best” of his canon, I will say that the stories collected in Venus in the Blind Spot were mostly enjoyable—and rife with Ito’s trademark body horror ingenuity.
This collection reminded me quite viscerally of when I was a kid and I’d spend my evenings reading horror folklore anthologies ...more
This collection reminded me quite viscerally of when I was a kid and I’d spend my evenings reading horror folklore anthologies ...more
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1557144778p2/15335689.jpg)
I've read a lot of Junji Ito's work at this point, and it's generally a bit hit or miss for me, but thankfully, this was a huge hit. I absolutely loved this collection and can easily say it's one of my favorites of his works. It spans a grouping of short stories, some written by other authors, and altogether, while they certainly don't fit a theme or anything, they work well together and were almost all extremely well-done. There was one story I wasn't a big fan of near the end, and then I think
...more
Just in time for Halloween we have a collection of stories by manga-ka of horror, Junji Ito, who creates a “best of” collection, much as Shiver was. I had read some of it before, but some of it I had never seen or heard of before. And like many short story collections it is a little uneven, but unlike “best of” collections which are supposed to be selections of his Very Best. Some of it appears to be fan favorites, some his personal choices, a kind of collage of a range of his work, most of whic
...more
Aug 22, 2020
The Artisan Geek
added it
2.25
Not the best collection, honestly, though there are some interesting back stories that aren't something Ito usually supplies, including him reminiscing over his love of horror manga as a kid. It's understandable to me why he holds Kazuo Umezu in such high regard, but (usually) I think Ito is way better himself. Umezu might just be too campy for me.
I like it when these collections feature the same characters in different stories - Ito does this often - but I wanted more with the female author ...more
Not the best collection, honestly, though there are some interesting back stories that aren't something Ito usually supplies, including him reminiscing over his love of horror manga as a kid. It's understandable to me why he holds Kazuo Umezu in such high regard, but (usually) I think Ito is way better himself. Umezu might just be too campy for me.
I like it when these collections feature the same characters in different stories - Ito does this often - but I wanted more with the female author ...more
Just in time for your Halloween reading, yet another Junji Ito short story collection. This one is billed as a "best of," so like me you might have already seen some of these stories if you've been keeping up with all the Junji reprints coming out lately. And it almost lives up to the hype, as these are some pretty solid tales of horror with Ito's trademark body horror and creepy tone. Three adaptations of stories from Edogawa Ranpo and Robert Hichens are included.
One story is an autobiographica ...more
One story is an autobiographica ...more
A terrifying collection of Japanese stories. These graphic novel short stories are all classics in Japan; and I can definitely see why.
I had two struggles with this book of stories:
1) Forgetting to read right to left. It's a bit odd as the pages flip right to left (like English books); but the pages themselves are read right to left (not left to right as most are used to). So I had to keep reminding myself. I think I'd have preferred the book was bound 'backwards' where you read back to front ...more
I had two struggles with this book of stories:
1) Forgetting to read right to left. It's a bit odd as the pages flip right to left (like English books); but the pages themselves are read right to left (not left to right as most are used to). So I had to keep reminding myself. I think I'd have preferred the book was bound 'backwards' where you read back to front ...more
I've been trying for months to get Junji Ito books but whenever I find them they are very expensive. When Viz media accepted my request on Netgalley for this book I felt it was Christmas day. I read the entire book on the same day.
Venus in the Blind Spot includes a collection of 10 creepy horror stories.
The illustrations are terrifying, and some are a bit disturbing. I admit that after finishing reading the book I even had nightmares but
Overall I loved it because the stories leave you thinking e ...more
Venus in the Blind Spot includes a collection of 10 creepy horror stories.
The illustrations are terrifying, and some are a bit disturbing. I admit that after finishing reading the book I even had nightmares but
Overall I loved it because the stories leave you thinking e ...more
(3.5) Venus in the Blind Spot is described as a 'best of' collection, featuring 'the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito's career'. Standouts from the book are 'An Unearthly Love' (unpredictable and tense), 'How Love Came to Professor Kirida' (incredibly entertaining) and the classic 'The Enigma of Amigara Fault' (disturbing as hell). However, I found the selection here less compelling than the previous collection
Shiver
(which incidentally is also described as a best of!) and the compl
...more
Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito
3.75 stars for the overall collection
3.75 stars for the overall collection
Hi, this is my first time reading Junji Ito and experiencing his horror manga and I am a fan. Like why did I think his stuff would be so disgusting and traumatizing that I couldn’t read it. Well, I won’t lie the opening story in the horror manga collection will leave some readers traumatized. Think Sally from the Hotel season of American Horror Story when she sews her two lovers to her body because she loves them so much an
...more
Review coming soon
A bunch of dark short stories from the "horror master" of Japan.
The thing with one shots, or short stories, is some will always be better than others. This is actually my first Ito work and it's a solid introduction to his style. His stories range from a woman buying a chair and a guy being inside it, to people suddenly going missing and strung up together dead the next few days, to a story of a woman who licks your face and you die from the poison that is on her tongue.
As you can tell by now ...more
The thing with one shots, or short stories, is some will always be better than others. This is actually my first Ito work and it's a solid introduction to his style. His stories range from a woman buying a chair and a guy being inside it, to people suddenly going missing and strung up together dead the next few days, to a story of a woman who licks your face and you die from the poison that is on her tongue.
As you can tell by now ...more
closer to 3.5 stars honestly
a few stories faltered but on the whole junji ito nailed it (what else could we expect??)
a few stories faltered but on the whole junji ito nailed it (what else could we expect??)
While this isn't my favorite Ito collection, the adaptations of Edogawa Ranpo's work are fascinating. I especially like (and respect) his take on "The Human Chair" - it serves as both a retelling and a sequel to the original 1925 short story, and it's tonally faithful. I'm definitely going to have to find a way to use it when I teach the original short story in class.
Beyond that, this is strong in the usual ways - creepy, emphasis on the fear of things just shy of ordinary - and otherwise a perf ...more
Beyond that, this is strong in the usual ways - creepy, emphasis on the fear of things just shy of ordinary - and otherwise a perf ...more
Look, when they release a new Junji Ito hardcover, I buy it. I don't make the rules. This latest one, though, is kind of an odd fit for just about anyone except Ito completists. For those coming in cold, it's got several emblematic stories, including "Billions Alone," which is particularly haunting at this precise moment in history, and "The Licking Woman." And Ito's adaptation of Edogawa Rampo's "The Human Chair" is worth the price of admission all by itself.
But it also boasts this weirdo autob ...more
But it also boasts this weirdo autob ...more
There were a few repeats in here. A few duds. Overall it was really good, however, and even the duds are a cut above other manga I read.
For repeats, I really enjoy the one about the man-shaped holes in the rock. I still think that is one of his best.
For new work, the licking woman was creepy. He does great work with creepy imagery, as always.
The color in some of the areas really adds to the atmosphere.
For repeats, I really enjoy the one about the man-shaped holes in the rock. I still think that is one of his best.
For new work, the licking woman was creepy. He does great work with creepy imagery, as always.
The color in some of the areas really adds to the atmosphere.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2021/02/0...
Having recently read Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror, a classic in manga body horror, I was impressed by the author and illustrator Junji Ito. When I heard that a collection of his short stories was being released, I was anxious to read more of Ito’s macabre stories. His ten stories include three written by others, but all have his distinctive art style and otherwordly terror. The book also includes some full-color art ...more
Having recently read Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror, a classic in manga body horror, I was impressed by the author and illustrator Junji Ito. When I heard that a collection of his short stories was being released, I was anxious to read more of Ito’s macabre stories. His ten stories include three written by others, but all have his distinctive art style and otherwordly terror. The book also includes some full-color art ...more
Hands down the best curated collection of Junji Ito stories. Not a single dud in the batch, all top Ito one-shots. There are a couple of double-dipping chapters if you own Gyo (Amigara Fault and Principal Post), but they are presented with newly colored panels for the former and in full color for the latter. In addition, there are a lot of color pages spread throughout the book, as well as some nice prints and a small poster. Just a very well put together book, even compared to the usual high qu
...more
"I'm scared... I'm so scared... This is my tunnel... They dug it for me...
Its just a coincidence!! It just happens to look a little like you!
No... This is my tunnel! It was made... Made for me to enter! Its been waiting for me to enter, all that time when it was under ground! And when I go in... I'll be trapped in this hole!" ...more
Its just a coincidence!! It just happens to look a little like you!
No... This is my tunnel! It was made... Made for me to enter! Its been waiting for me to enter, all that time when it was under ground! And when I go in... I'll be trapped in this hole!" ...more
Review to come :)
Weird, creepy and wonderful!
“𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘰 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸?”
𝕍𝕖𝕟𝕦𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥 is a "best of" collection of creepy tales, presenting the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, and featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story "Human Chair" and fan favorite "The Enigma of Amigara Fault." In a deluxe presentation with special color pages and color illustrations from his most recent long-form manga No Longer Human, every page invites readers to ...more
𝕍𝕖𝕟𝕦𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥 is a "best of" collection of creepy tales, presenting the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, and featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story "Human Chair" and fan favorite "The Enigma of Amigara Fault." In a deluxe presentation with special color pages and color illustrations from his most recent long-form manga No Longer Human, every page invites readers to ...more
''Daddy! I will never stop! UFO research is my reason for living!''
Despite its pretty presentation—the gorgeous slipcase with interior print, the beautiful black on black art printed hardcover underneath, the centrefold style foldout pages of promotional art for Uzumaki and Gyo...—this is unfortunately the weakest of the Junji Ito short story collections I've read so far—not least because at least two of the book's stories have already been collected in some of the publisher's earlier Junji Ito ...more
Despite its pretty presentation—the gorgeous slipcase with interior print, the beautiful black on black art printed hardcover underneath, the centrefold style foldout pages of promotional art for Uzumaki and Gyo...—this is unfortunately the weakest of the Junji Ito short story collections I've read so far—not least because at least two of the book's stories have already been collected in some of the publisher's earlier Junji Ito ...more
*Score: 8.5/10*
Another set of unique short stories by Junji Ito, all filled with some truely disturbing ideas, with a couple of adaptations from the author Edogawa Ranpo.
Compared to Shiver, the stories here are slightly more tilted to psychological, while Shiver was a bit tilted more to disturbing imagery. You will find the classic Ito elements of taking one small idea and taking it into a very nightmarish direction.
Key highlights are Ranpo's adaptations (and definitely read Ranpo if you have n ...more
Another set of unique short stories by Junji Ito, all filled with some truely disturbing ideas, with a couple of adaptations from the author Edogawa Ranpo.
Compared to Shiver, the stories here are slightly more tilted to psychological, while Shiver was a bit tilted more to disturbing imagery. You will find the classic Ito elements of taking one small idea and taking it into a very nightmarish direction.
Key highlights are Ranpo's adaptations (and definitely read Ranpo if you have n ...more
Jun 21, 2020
Ruthsic
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
adult,
horror,
male-author,
science-fiction,
arcs,
manga-graphicnovel,
standalone,
anthologies,
fantasy
Warnings: extreme body horror, corpse mutilation, stalking and gendered violence, sexual assault, necrophilia, animal death
Reading this anthology is like discovering new fears that you didn't know you had. As an anthology, not much connects the stories with each other, but they are all like way out there, in terms of what the horrific element is. The first story itself in which groups of people are found dead with their corpses stitched together in bizarre ways, thus having everyone isolating th ...more
Reading this anthology is like discovering new fears that you didn't know you had. As an anthology, not much connects the stories with each other, but they are all like way out there, in terms of what the horrific element is. The first story itself in which groups of people are found dead with their corpses stitched together in bizarre ways, thus having everyone isolating th ...more
Sep 03, 2020
Dustin
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
classics,
psychological,
graphic-novels,
lovecraftian,
anthology,
horror,
cosmic-weirdness,
art,
manga
Fascinating article on this anthology, as well as a lively discussion of said work.
https://www.vox.com/culture/21405284/...
...more
a couple of the shorts were eh, but the majority of these are GREAT as expected. i was especially disturbed by the dead people sewn together, yikers island. amigara fault is always cool and creepy af, and the human chair was also real messed up. loved it
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Junji Itō (伊藤潤二) Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1963, he was inspired from a young age by his older sister's drawing and Kazuo Umezu's comics and thus took an interest in drawing horror comics himself. Nevertheless, upon graduation he trained as a dental technician, and until the early 1990s he juggled his dental career with his increasingly successful hobby — even after being selected as the winner o
...more
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