Part-Time Shuffle, Full-Time Grind!

Steady raindrops kiss siring hot pavement. The scent of burning memories pierce the night air. A haunting voice beckons a weary soul. Dazed and soaking wet, she grips her weapon tighter with each step. There, within the inferno, a familiar smile. An eager blade yearns for soft flesh.

Get in your stride and enjoy the ride.

Ready your body for Part-Time Shuffle!

Art/Design – James Stanley
Colors – Leonardo Bruno


Brain-child of comic artist James Stanley, Part-Time Shuffle is a slick mix of grindhouse glamour and samurai swordplay. An action/adventure comic with Japanese style and hip-hop swagger. It is the story of Meiko Schultz, owner of a quaint hobby shop left to her by her parents. When Meiko finds herself in a financial crunch, she grabs a little part-me work…….. as a Yakuza assassin!

However, her dept will be the least of her worries. The seedy world of professional killing bears bitter fruit.

I was fortunate to receive an “early-screening” of Episode 00: Reasons, the debut issue. It’s an excellent taste of whats to come in subsequent installments, as Meiko’s saga ignites.

Readers can drop right into this universe with ease. The narrative’s unique and original, yet has a nostalgic familiarity. A pastiche of cultural and cinematic elements mixed better than a martini.

With ultra crisp art and cornea-punching colors, you get a visual treat to feast upon like a wolf on speed. However, this comic also has the distinction of being more than just an illustrated book. It’s an experience. Each episode comes with an accompanying soundtrack listing so that readers may truly feel the rhythm of chaos unfolding. You don’t just read Part-Time Shuffle, you groove to it!

Thirsty? Want more? Can’t wait to grab a copy? Well, you’ll get your chance soon enough at the Society of Illustrators’ MoCCA Arts Festival 2014 on April 5-6 at 128 East 63rd Street, NYC.

Stay up to date on everything Part-Time Shuffle on Facebook, Tumblr, and Deviant Art

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Do the Part-Time Shuffle!

I remember a time when I would walk into a comic shop and be in awe at the gross abundance fun and interesting books laid out before me. The experience was akin to walking into a Toys R Us, except without those sliding doors that blast you with plastic-scented air conditioning. That would have been ever better. Never-the-less, going to check out the latest comics was something I'd look always forward to. As the years have gone by, I become less and less driven to hit up many comic stores (except for the ones that sell old comics). Most people would probably equate that with getting older, but not in my case. To put it simply....

They just don't make 'em like they used to anymore.

Don't get me wrong. There are a few gems to be found here and there, but they're much fewer and farther between than they used to be. I'm now pretty reliant on the internet, or friend recommendations to lead me to the good stuff. In this case, a promising new comic comes from a fellow graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design.

Part-Time Shuffle: Stage 01

Story and Lineart by James Stanley

Coloring by Jessie Lam

(I half-expect to see a boss fight with the bartender in an alley.)

The image above was enough to hook me in.  The presenation has the same vibe I'd get from a fighting game, or a side-scrolling beat 'em up. As a huge fan of those things, that's definitely a plus. The entertainment value of such resonates not just through the art, but also in the story.

Part-Time shuffle is the chronicles the exploits of Meiko Schultz, a half Japanese-half Jewish, Osaka resident with hopes of becoming a famous film directer. Until her dreams take off, she humbly runs a family-owned video/hobby shop called "Hole in the Wall".  With childhood friends Shunya and Aoi helping out, things are going pretty well.  Little does Meiko know about her family's "other" business.

She's told the full scope of what she's truly inherited by the notorious Kigen Yakuza. Feeling cornered, if not confused, Meiko offers her services to the family.  Surprisingly, her offer is accepted and Meiko becomes the family's new part-time assassin.

In the preview currently online, you get a taste of what to expect from the series. There's a great sense of humor already present as we are introduced to the main characters. Readers will also be treated by colorful writing such as "butthurt{ness}" and "unfortunate slumber is happen..."

The art is clean, solid, visually engaging. The designs give you just enough information to establish each character's idiosyncrasy without piling on too many accessories. Many designers have a tendency to get detail-happy, witch actually winds up making the characters look less distinct. Such is not the case here.

So far, this comic looks to be one of the coveted gems of today.  Light-hearted action/adventures have always been favorites of mine, so I hope to see more of the series.


The online preview is currently available on the artist's website.