Uzumaki

This was fantastic, helped in no small part by the fact it is a beautifully put together physical object representing a complete, self-contained manga. No more going to the bookstore to find volume 1 and 2 while 3 and 5 don't exist anywhere.

We are introduced to the seaside town of Kurouzu Cho where high-schooler Kirie begins to discover the town is contaminated with spirals. Hardly the stuff of horror. Oh look! Shuichi's father is carefully examining a snail - could be trouble!

But this thing escalates fast. Shuichi's father's demise is only the beginning. Snail people, human jack in the boxes, duelling hair, mosquitos and more. Each episodic chapter reveals a fresh new horror building to a consuming climax that, while expansive in scope, is less effective than the personal stories that got us here. Small quibble for what is an otherwise transporting horror manga rendered in a straightforward style that works when contrasted with some of the body horror on display here. A great introduction to manga that has me wanting more.