Dramacon Ultimate Edition    by Svetlana Chmakova Order:  USA  Can TOKYOPOP, 2008 (2008) Hardcover      Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto Svetlana Chmakova's Dramacon is one of my favorite Original English Language manga. I love the way she gently pokes fun at anime conventions while giving an inside look at the American manga industry. Plus, she has a flair for drawing innocent yet steamy romance. Dramacon Ultimate Edition combines all three volumes of Dramacon as they follow manga writer Christie through three years of attending the Yatta Anime Convention. At her first con, Christie is a shy writer, trying to survive her relationship with her high school boyfriend/manga artist. While running away from her boyfriend, she bumps into Matt, a handsome, slightly older guy in dark glasses. When Matt saves Christie from her boyfriend, they strike up a friendship that Christie wishes could be more. However, once the con is over, they go their separate ways. When the next year's con rolls around, Christie is hoping to rekindle her feelings for Matt, but now he is the one with a significant other. This time, though, she has her new artist, Beth, for support, and they are being noticed by Mangapop, a big manga publisher. At the third con, things really start to heat up as it proves to be the most dramatic of all. Christie and Matt are both single, although his ex keeps popping up, and Beth is again offered a job with Mangapop, much to her overbearing mother's dismay. How will things work out both professionally and romantically for these aspiring manga-ka? This Ultimate Edition is a great way to read Dramacon. It allows the reader to enjoy all three volumes without the year's wait in between. Also, it shows how Chmakova's artistic style and storytelling have matured along with the characters. A story set at an anime convention seems like it might have nowhere to go, but Svetlana Chmakova makes Dramacon entertaining and endearing, filled with characters to whom readers can relate. While Christie's story is over, I hope that Chmakova will have more stories and characters to come as she continues to make a name for herself as an English-language manga-ka. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews