Pokemon comic
The comic I am talking about is the one translated by Viz and written by Toshihiro Ono. There are four "substories" (in order; "The Electric Tale of Pikachu", "Pikachu Shocks Back", "Electric Pikachu Boogaloo" and "Surf's Up, Pikachu", each of which consist of four issues) which basically continue through a main plot; Ash aiming to be a Pokemon Master.
The plot of the comics basically follows the TV show's storyline. However, enough things have been changed to make it interesting and worth buying even if you have seen every episode. Some episodes (for example, The Flame Pokemon-athon and Make Room For Gloom) have made it in, and there are some new plots altogether.
In terms of artwork, I think it has strengths and weaknesses over the show. Everyone is drawn in a slightly different style (duh, it's manga) and most Pokemon are more detailed. The "tough" Pokemon look quite ferocious, and I think almost all Pokemon have been improved.
However, anything cute-and-fuzzy has been made into a marshmellow with arms and legs. Obvious example of this is Pikachu. I really do not like the way it looks in the manga; pitiful, snivelly, chubby and overly-cute. But I know I'm one of the only people who thinks this, so I'll say no more on that.
I think all the characters have been improved upon in the manga, except for James (his hair is too limp and... real looking ^_^;) and Pikachu.
As far as the comic itself goes, I'm not pleased that one must fork out $5 for a three minute read. The length of these things is nothing to write home about. I guess the price is tolerable (especially compared to some manga, meoww). The back of each comic has fanart.
My favourite aspect of the comic is its depth. I'm not saying it portrays the meaning of life, or that it goes into enormous detail. It does, however, explain a lot of things a little more; it makes things more realistic.
For example, Ash and Gary actually quit school to get a trainer's license, while the show leaves us wondering how the heck anyone gets an education if they don't like Pokemon. Misty reveals the obscenely large price of her special bike (that Ash ruined), giving a decent reason to want him to repay it. The Pokemon race has different categories for different Pokemon, as well as a "free for all", which gives a bit of depth/reality to the race. Just small things, but they add to the quality.
I'm not going to prattle on for hours (will miracles never cease), I'll just leave you with my favourite scene from the manga. It's short but funny. I like Misty's clothes. I like the way they look almost like normal humans. ^_^.
