this is a comic book. or comic novel, whatever. i really like to pick these type books up – they usually run between 6.99 and 9.99. i stopped buying them because i find that i am always either disappointed buy the story line and the art both being dull, or the art rocks it and the story sucks it or vice versa. and the problem here is – number one. it’s as cute a story (a bit of a yawn and hard to get into) as it is mediocre and you can see where the art is trying to go, it just doesn’t get there. oh, well. there are several previews in the back and – despite knowing better – i will check them out!

Quick-paced and tightly constructed, “Re-Gifters” tells the story of Korean-American Jen Dik Seong aka “Dixie,” who studies the ancient Korean martial art of hapkido and has a great chance of winning an upcoming championship. Only she has fallen for fellow classmate Adam, which has thrown off her Ki or “universal energy.” As Dixie struggles between focusing on her form and gaining the affections of Adam, she learns about what truly is important in friendship and love.

“Re-Gifters”’ art is very dynamic and expressive; and although the depiction of Dixie as younger looking than a number of the other characters is slightly jarring at first, it is in its own way representative of how different people are physically in real life. In a Buffy-esque way, there is something very inspiring about Dixie as a heroine, a petite female character up against male characters twice her size. But like Buffy, Dixie is flawed. And it is this imperfection of emotion that gives Dixie depth and the story its conflict.

Teenage girls will especially relate to the nature of crushes and infatuations, and Korean girls will relate to the importance of maintaining the traditions of one’s heritage. Another winner from Mike Carey and the art team of “My Faith in Frankie.”