Venus in the blind spot

Junji Ito is a recognizable name in horror manga, and this collection of 10 short stories will not disappoint his many fans. While most are Ito's creations, a few stories are adaptations of works by Japanese mystery author Edogawa Ranpo and British author Robert Hichens. The most notable entries, reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe, include groups of humans sewn together ("Billions Alone"), a chair that houses a human ("The Human Chair"), a woman with a poisonous tongue who wreaks havoc by licking people ("The Licking Woman"), a fault that opens with human-shaped holes ("The Enigma of Amigara Fault"), and a dead woman who gives birth to a live baby nine months after her death ("Keepsake"). "Venus in the Blind Spot" has a distinct sf element, with a mad scientist trying to protect his daughter, which should be pleasing to fans of The Twilight Zone. Many inferences can be made by observing the expressions on characters' faces--disappointment, sadness, excitement, fear--and overall, the illustrations are finely drawn and elaborately detailed, making the stories feel more legitimate. While some readers may assume that because this is manga it is light reading, they should be warned that this title is not for the faint of heart. It may even be able to convert a horror fan into a horror manga fan.