Tokyoite Heather Lorusso , no stranger to a game or two of ping pong herself, falls for Fumihiko Sori’s film adaptation of this popular manga series. What I want to know is, how does it stack up against Balls of Fury?

Our Tokyo correspondent, Heather Lorusso , finds much to recommend in this charming story of a group of Japanese schoolgirls trying to get a band together for the big end-of-year festival. Rock!

With few lines and fewer words, Nicholas Mahler manages to break hearts with his minicomic tale of the Lone Racer. Heather Lorusso wipes her eyes with the checkered flag.

Idlewild (La Face). Review by Heather Lorusso.

Cerrone by Bob Sinclair (Recall Records). Review by Heather Lorusso.

Heather Lorusso can’t help but be charmed by Andy Runton’s comic creation, Owly and a visual world without language, but plenty of heart and kindness.

This new collection of Asian packaging and design art reminds Heather Lorusso that sometimes the most interesting things to see in Japan are everyday objects.

Heather knows that a picture can say many different different things. Sometimes a picture can even ask, “Is it time for a checkup?” Damned collages.

Wild Billy Childish at the 12 Bar Club in London, UK on March 10, 2002; and Buff Medways at the Dirty Water Club in London, UK on March 29, 2002. Concerts review by Matthew Moyer. Photos by Heather Lorusso.

Bertrand Burgalat with AS Dragon at The Metro Club in London, UK on March 23, 2002. Concert review by Matthew Damascus. Photos by Heather Lorusso.

Mortician, with Carnal Forge at Camden Underworld in London, England on January 8, 2002. Concert review by Matthew Moyer. Photos by Heather Lorusso.

The Thrones at The Thunderdome in Tallahassee, FL on September 20, 2001. Concert review by Matthew Moyer. Photos by Heather Lorusso.

The White Stripes at Club Downunder in Tallahassee, FL on September 18, 2001. Concert review by Matthew Moyer. Photos by Heather Lorusso.

Faith And Disease at The Cow Haus in Tallahassee, FL on July 3, 2001. Concert review by Matthew Moyer. Photos by Heather Lorusso.

OhGr, with Hate Dept. at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA on June 22, 2001 and at Club 5 in Jacksonville, FL on June 23, 2001. Concerts review by Matthew Moyer. Photos by Heather Lorusso.