Michael Manning is a fetish artist who was born in Queens, New York, and raised on Massachusetts’ North Shore. He now resides in Los Angeles, California. He studied film and animation at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He began to self-publish his own black & white erotic comics in 1987, while he was also working as an animator and director (short films, commercials, and music videos).

His other works include: Hydrophidian & In a Metal Web I & II which are both part of the Spider Garden series, the Tranceptor series, a collection of art called Lumenagerie, and many others.

I love this guy's work and think his art is amazing.

Though this book / graphic novel does contain text, and a story line which tends to be deliberately minimal and confusing, Michael Manning's illustrations are really what tell the story; or stories. The artwork is hands down what is going to make you pick up and read this book. If you enjoy erotica & sexual imagery, I would assume that you will appreciate this book.

Michael Manning's art is definitely based in a more traditional Japanese style, with a strong fetish & BDSM flavor, and the subject matter has a wide range of things mixed together that will sort of overload and interest you at the same time. There are typical sexual situations, and non-sexual situations, that are all turned upside down with shocking and taboo subject matters all swirled together.

The cover of this book has a simple yet bold black, white and red color scheme, with shiny silver metallic lettering; as well as a 3 panel teaser of the erotic illustrations to be found inside. The physical construction of this book is that of a comic book graphic novel. It is very well put together: there are 90 pages, the printing quality is excellent (everything is in black and white), and the illustrations are just amazing!

There is one page I randomly opened the book up to, where you see a goat-man having sex with a human woman, there is a ninja, and the only text is oohs, uhms, ohs. I love how 'all over the place' the images in this book are. It contains a number of boundless concepts and ideas. Nothing is sacred, yet everything is done tastefully.

I saw this book in a comic shop in '95, I think. I picked it up, looked at a page or two, and immediately decided to buy it. At the time, and even now, there are so many things in the book you will not see anywhere else. It's wonderful!