Over the Garden Wall #2, by Pat McHale and Jim Campbell

3.5 / 5

From the Publisher
The Tale of Fred the Horse! This issue takes place between episodes 4-5 of the Cartoon Network miniseries and tells the story of Fred, a down-on-his-luck horse who finds himself in trouble with the Highwayman.

Pros

• The art style is evocative of the show, and continues its visual aesthetic
• The story fits in well with the "Over the Garden Wall" universe, and dovetails into a plot beat of the show

Cons

• The work is very short, coming in at only 24 pages (with extra content, like sheet music)
• Folks who haven't watched the show may be better served by watching it first. It isn't strictly necessary, but it may provide additional context for the relationships and interactions between the characters.
• Just like before, I'm still worried that a slavish adherence to the plot beats of the show may render these comics unable to produce something truly new and interesting for readers to enjoy. After all, did we need the backstory of Fred the Horse?

Conclusion
Just like before, Over the Garden Wall fans will almost assuredly enjoy this work, as it's more of their beloved characters in wacky situations. Folks who haven't watched the show may not be as dazzled by the work, and honestly, can probably pass on it.

Over The Garden Wall #1 by Pat McHale and Jim Campbell

3.5 / 5

From The Publisher
What It Is: A new Over the Garden Wall story set between episodes 3 and 4 of the animated series! Wirt and Greg are trying to hitch a ride out of schooltown but end up having to walk. Soon, they come upon two girls playing, and wind up having to keep them entertained so that they don't wake their giant father!

Pros

• The art style is evocative of the show, and continues its visual aesthetic
• The story fits in well with the "Over the Garden Wall" universe, and even dovetails into a plot beat of the show

Cons

• The work is very short, coming in at only 24 pages (with extra content, like sheet music)
• Folks who haven't watched the show may be better served by watching it first. It isn't strictly necessary, but it may provide additional context for the relationships and interactions between the characters.
• Perhaps this is an unfair criticism, but I worry that a slavish adherence to the plot beats of the show may render these comics unable to produce something truly new and interesting for readers to enjoy.

Conclusion
Over the Garden Wall fans will almost assuredly enjoy this work, as it's more of their beloved characters in wacky situations. Folks who haven't watched the show may not be as dazzled by the work, and honestly, can probably pass on it.

MAIDO In A Box (Vol. 4): "Novel Writing"

I bought this product from Kinokuniya in October 2020.  As an avid writer, I was excited by the theme: novel writing.  With National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) around the corner, I was curious to see what MAIDO could bring to the table.  The box sold for $35, but is currently out of stock.  This was the first stationery box I've purchased; will it also be my last?  Read on to find out.

Products Included

• Midori MD Notebook (Lined, "Bunko Size")
• Approximate value: $15
• Note: I could not easily find this item for sale in the States
• Uni Emott 5 Color Set (No. 8, "Retro Color")
• Approximate value: $14
• Zebra Blen 3C 0.5mm Multi-Pen
• Approximate value: $6
• Mildliner Bluegreen
• Approximate value: $2
• Delfonics A5 "5 Parts Clear Folder"
• Approximate value: $3
• Note: I could not easily find this item for sale in the States
• Total (Approximate) Value: $40 USD

Pros

• The order shipped promptly and arrived quickly (though I'm sure it doesn't hurt that I'm relatively close to Kinokuniya's USA HQ).
• The order was well-packed and arrived without damage to the products.
• The presentation of the box and items are slick, from the "MAIDO IN A BOX" branding to the 1-page (double-sided) summary of the products included.
• The included items would cost more to purchase individually, and some items cannot be easily purchased in the USA (if my cursory search is to be believed).  

Cons

• If I'm honest, none of the products in the box excited me.  I was ready to say, "wow!" but ended up with a resounding, "meh."  I could forgive this (especially given the relatively low barrier to entry of the box), if not for the next point.
• The box didn't do much with the theme (novel writing).  While it's nice that product descriptions were included, the write-up doesn't suggest any way the included products could be used together, let alone what they have to do with novel writing (beyond their expected use as stationery).  Here are a few things that could've "spiced up" the experience for me: 
• Included writing prompts
• Included quotes from famous novelists
• Included reading recommendations for books on writing
• Included books on writing (Kinokuniya is a bookstore, after all)

Conclusion

I was disappointed by the "MAIDO In A Box" (Volume 4).  It's not that any of the individual products were bad, it's that the box as a whole failed to create a cohesive narrative around its own (self-designated) theme.  While I recognize that I am the best curator of my own tastes, this product had a chance to surprise and delight but failed.  Ultimately, the box felt like "leftovers from the warehouse," rather than something special.  I doubt I'll be purchasing another volume.

Midori MD Note (Ruled, A5 Size)

I purchased this notebook in August 2020 to see if Midori paper could hold a candle to my long-standing favorite "high performance" writing paper, Tomoe River.  After two months with it, has it lived up to the challenge?  Find out below. 

Basic Info

• 88 Sheets / 176 Pages
• $12 / notebook (as of time of writing)
• Other formats: blank, grid, dot grid
• Includes 1 cloth ribbon (forest green)
• The "center line" of each page is bolded, dividing each page in half

Pros

• (Relatively) Cheap
• Good selection of formats
• The bolded center line is a unique feature
• The paper exhibits virtually no bleed-through and little feathering
• Ghosting is present, but was never intrusive or distracting for me

Cons

• To be frank, I just didn't enjoy the paper that much. 
• While it performs well in some ways, it seems to be coated (or is a much higher GSM than I'm used to).  As a result, the paper tends to exacerbate issues with badly-performing pens, low-flow pens, and pens with especially thick ink.   

Conclusion

I only have one major complaint with this notebook.  Unfortunately, that complaint is with the main function of the notebook: its paper.  The notebook works "well enough" for what it is, and it pairs well with other pen types (especially felt-tip pens).  With that said, the fact that I have access to a stockpile of Tomoe River notebooks means this product just can't compete.  Ultimately, despite the Midori's best efforts, Tomoe River still reigns supreme as my "fountain pen friendly" paper of choice.

LiveNotes A5 Staplebound Journal by PenGallery

Product Description (From the Manufacturer):

In our search for writing perfection, we created LIVENOTES especially for fountain pen livers.  Made with Tomoe River paper, LIVENOTES offers a luxurious writing experience with most pens and inks.  The low feathering and smooth finish of these pages will also showcase sheen and shimmering inks, letting you fully explore the art of writing with pen and paper.  LIVENOTES notebooks are exclusively brought to you by PenGallery.  These notebooks are great for bullet journaling.

Basic Info:

• Brand: LiveNotes by PenGallery
• Cost: 12.90 MYR (approximately $3.10 USD)
• Pages: 64
• Format: Dot Grid
• Paper: 68 GSM Tomoe River
• Binding: Staple-bound
• Colors offered: Purple, Orange, Black (Spiral-bound)

Pros:

• Cost.  A similarly-spec'd Tomoe River notebook from Goulet Pens costs $8 USD.
• Some unusual color options for Tomoe River notebooks (orange and purple), though this may be a con if you're looking for more traditional colors
• Tomoe River is a fountain pen champ no matter what notebook it's in
• Good customer service.  The company forgot to pack in one of my notebooks; they promptly issued a refund, including some of the shipping cost.

Cons:

• Format.  This notebook is only offered in dot grid, so if that isn't your flavor you'll have to either get used to it or look elsewhere
• Construction.  The notebook feels cheap (because it is).  While it survived daily use for a month, it also hasn't left the house due to COVID.  I can't help but wonder if it'd hold up to my pre-COVID routine.
• Shipping is either cheap and slow (taking weeks to arrive), or fast and as much as 9 notebooks (115 MYR, or $27 USD).
• The binding / printing is somewhat sloppy.  Some of the grids are obviously misaligned on the page, for example
• (Nit-pick) As I stated above, they forgot to pack in one of the notebooks I ordered.  I am only listing this as a nit-pick because of the quick customer service response
• (Nit-pick) The branding on the spine isn't my favorite.  While I wouldn't call it gaudy, and it certainly isn't a deal-breaker for me, those seeking a more "stealth" or minimalist approach may be turned off.

Conclusion:

The notebook comes with its fair share of issues (see: cons).  It's hard to be too upset about any of them, though, because of the price.  Are there things I would change about this notebook?  Absolutely.  Am I likely to find anything better in the same price bracket (especially anything that offers Tomoe River paper)?  Absolutely not.  Ultimately, while there are better notebook / stationery experiences to be had (especially when Tomoe River is involved), they are regularly 5-10 times the price.  If you want a Tomoe River notebook at a rock bottom price (and you don't mind the aforementioned concessions), this may be your new favorite notebook.

Write Notepads & Co "Lined Notebook" (Wire-bound)

I purchased this notebook on the recommendation of The Gentleman Stationer.  When the product appeared in the article, "The Best Paper for Everyday Writing," I decided to give them a try.  While I can't recommend the notebook without caveats (see below), there is definitely a lot to like here.  Will it replace Tomoe River as my paper of choice for fountain pens?  Read on to find out.

Basic Info:

• Price: $20 USD / notebook, bulk discounts available
• Paper Type:70 GSM "bleed and feather resistant" paper
• Format: Lined (also available in dot grid and "meeting" format)
• Pages: 120
• Link

Pros:

• Wire binding means that the notebook is truly "lay flat."  This also means that the notebook can easily be folded over and act as its own writing surface
• Paper lives up to its promise of being bleed and feather resistant; I tested it across a wide variety of inks (though the widest nib grade I regularly use is M, so take that for what you will)
• Cover is subtly designed and aesthetically pleasing
• Notebook offers a larger size than the typical A5, meaning it may be a good fit for those looking for something about as portable as an A5 with a few more inches to write on
• Notebook comes in a variety of formats and colors.  I bought one in "black" and "kraft."  I seriously considered buying one in "pistacio" as well, but ultimately decided against it (because I have so many notebooks, lol)

Cons:

• The wire binding can be uncomfortable under the hand, especially after a long writing session
• Paper doesn't bring out the "magic" of inks like Tomoe River, and is a bit, "toothier," as well.
• The covers (especially the back cover) frayed over time, despite the notebook rarely leaving the house (what with the global pandemic).  There were no catastrophic failures, but it makes me wonder how well the notebook would hold up under more strenuous testing
• The unusual size means it'll require a custom cover (if that's your jam)
• A few of the metal rings bent a bit.  Again, there were no catastrophic failures and the notebook is still functioning as intended (save the last couple of pages, which are harder to turn), but it raises concerns of durability

Conclusion:
There's a lot to like about this notebook.  While the paper hasn't dethroned Tomoe River as my "go-to" choice for fountain pens, it's plays well enough with my pens and inks that I haven't minded using it as a daily driver.  There are some things I would change (I wish they offered an A5 version) and some things that require trade-offs compared to other notebooks (e.g. the binding style), but it's done its job admirably.  If you're not a fan of Tomoe River or if you want to try something different, this product is worth a look.

Wonderland222 Undated A5 Planner

I purchased the Wonderland222 Undated Planner just over 3 months ago in late February, 2020.  I bought it to use as my "daily driver," for journaling and writing (not as a planner).  I recently completed the journal (i.e. filled it from cover to cover), and I have some thoughts about the product.  

Basic Info:

• Price: $27 USD
• Paper Type: Tomoe River, 52 GSM
• Format: Grid
• Pages: 365, numbered
• Link

Pros:

• The notebook has plenty of pages for long writing sessions
• The notebook is fairly priced, especially considering its feature-set when compared to other notebooks in the "premium stationery" segment
• The notebook uses numbered Tomoe River paper.  I rarely see this combination, even in other premium Tomoe River notebooks
• The ribbons have held up well over the course of the notebook's use, neither fraying nor discoloring.
• I've found grid formatting to be a nice in-between for the structure of lined paper and the freedom of blank paper.  In other words, the structure is there if you want it, but you don't have to use it.
• I like that there is a place to date every page.
• I appreciate the inclusion of an index, even if I didn't use it much.
• The notebook has no problem laying flat, even on end pages (e.g. pages 2 and 364).

Cons:

• Though the notebook has a lot of great features, I didn't use them as much as I expected to (e.g. the index, page numbers, etc)
• Try as I might, I still prefer lined paper.  Since I used the notebook for writing and journaling instead of planning, the grid was more of a hindrance than a benefit for me
• The notebook (as of the time of writing) is only available in one size and color.  To be fair, though, the first issue can easily be remedied with a cover.
• The top of the page has a large "forehead" because of the area carved out for the date.  I often left this part of the page blank, or only used a line for a title.  As a result, I left a fair amount of blank space in the notebook (see picture below).

Conclusion:

The "Wonderland222 Undated A5 Planner" represents a great value for stationery obsessives.  The combination of price, feature set, and availability means it is definitely worth considering for your next planner / bujo.  For my part, I struggled to find issues with this product except on matters of personal taste.  The fact that Wonderland222 is also releasing a B6 notebook with even more color options is just icing on the cake.  Definitely check this one out.

Final Score:

8.5/10