Title: Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star
Volume(s): 2
Creator(s): Kain Cuga
Format: Unflipped; Right-to-Left
Publisher: Tokyopop
MSRP: $9.95
Genre(s): Sci-fi/Action
Rated: Teen (13+)

Even though the "Cowboy Bebop" manga was no classic by any means (Heck, it wasn't even any good), it did sell enough copies to warrant more manga to be made for the franchise. However instead of just doing more instalments of the series, the makers of the Bebop crew decided to do one of those famous alternate reality series instead. These are not uncommon in Japan, where they will take a successful franchise, and when a movie or manga series shows up, the product could be a completely different way to tell the story. Heck, this isn't even an uncommon practice in America, where we have no less then five different Batman series out there, each telling their own version of the Batman story. So with that pointless history out of the way (I mentioned this just to make the review longer) we take a look at "Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star." So what's so different about the Bebop crew in Shooting Star? Nothing. You heard me; nothing.

With the exception of Spikes new haircut, and maybe a less mechanical Jet, nothing is really different about the Bebop crew or story here. They are still sporting their same personalities, they still have that super smart dog Ein, Faye's still a vixen, and they are still going on their sitcom adventures, with little or no real story development taking place. Yes, its basically the first manga all over again, except with different hair-do's. Calling this particular spin-off an alternate reality is one of the biggest jokes about the book! However, this series is still more entertaining then the first manga, and it's because the author was obviously someone who just simply got "Cowboy Bebop!" The humor is more natural, the fight sequences are drawn much smoother and look more lively, and the characters do get to shine better with their lovable personalities! Still, despite all the things that Kuga has done better in this manga, it still does not fully capture the feel of the TV series, and it's still too short to really get the readers involved in the story or characters!

Did I say story? I'm sorry but I lied, there really isn't one here. My mistake. Anyway in the end I don't think "Cowboy Bebop" was ever meant to be a manga. For the full reason why you can check out my review of the first "Cowboy Bebop" manga I wrote. Ultimately though fan of "Cowboy Bebop" or not, the "Cowboy Bebop" manga's just don't make for great entertainment. If you're still interesting in the world of Bebop just check out the TV series and movie.

- -Review By Kevin T. Rodriguez- -