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Princess Ai: The Prism of Midnight Dawn
Manga Review
Courtney Love's "Princess Ai" character, which started out as a mere curiosity has mushroomed into a full-blown franchise (we're predicting a major motion picture), and this new manga (which came to me packaged with a "Ai-Tunes" Tokyopop Music Sampler), brings the pop-princess back and better than ever with wonderful outfits, beautiful artwork, and an epic trilogy as worlds clash and lives are shattered.
 As you may (or may not) know, Ai is a princess in both worlds, in Ai-land, she's the actual ruler, and on Earth, she's revered as global rock-diva, with millions of fans. Ai has since tamed the furies of Ai-land and now they are loyal to her, and she's risen above the plotting of HTA against her to control her.
And now a year has passed. Ai has led the second revolution to a successful conclusion and has re-taken the throne, co-ruling with Nora, her half-brother. But all is not well in the paradise of Ai-land, as the princess struggles with loneliness, isolation and the pressures of rule.
And back on The Other Side, things are not as they should be. Mysterious forces have gathered and threaten to push both worlds to the brink of destruction... For Ai-fans, this manga will be a delight, with everything you've come to expect.. and more!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2009
Princess Ai
Manga Review
Will she save the universe or destroy it? Even she doesn't know, she fell to Earth minus her memory. All she knows is that she's from somewhere else, and she dresses rather provocatively. She can also belt out song like nobody's business. (She winds up singing heavy metal at a high class strip club. Hey! A girl's gotta make ends meet somehow.) Meanwhile, forces from beyond are gathering against her. Princess Ai is a key figure in a cosmic "second revolution". A mystery she must unlock before things get too graphic.
Controversial rocker Courtney Love produced this manga with TokyoPop. They ran TV commercials for it - this might be the first time a manga got air time like this on American television. It's a thrilling combination of romance, fantasy, action and heavy metal music. Rock on, Princess Ai!
Below: Illustrations from the Princess Ai manga.
Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, November 2004
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