From Eroica with Love

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From Eroica with Love
Cover of Japanese volume 34
エロイカより愛をこめて (Eroica Yori Ai o Komete)
Genre	Comedy
Manga
Author	Yasuko Aoike
Publisher	Akita Shoten CMX Manga
Demographic	Shōjo
Magazine	Princess
Original run	1976 – ongoing
Volumes	34

From Eroica with Love (エロイカより愛をこめて, Eroica Yori Ai o Komete^?) is a long-running shōjo manga by Yasuko Aoike which originally began publication in 1976 by Akita Shoten. The English translation by CMX began publication in 2004.

The series revolves around the adventures of Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach, an uptight NATO major, and Dorian Red Gloria, an openly gay English lord who delights in bothering Klaus. Dorian is also an art thief, known as Eroica, and states in the first volume that he makes it his purpose to pursue and capture beautiful things...and people. After developing a certain fondness for the uptight Major, Dorian flirts with him incessantly and ends up interrupting many of Klaus's missions, much to Klaus's dismay.

Also featured are Dorian's gang of thieves: chiefly Mr. James (the clingy, wailing, tightfisted accountant), Bonham (Dorian's right hand man), and John Paul (who only appears occasionally, and whose name changes from time to time). Dorian and his gang are based on the band Led Zeppelin, of which Yasuko Aoike is a fan. The story of Eroica is inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

Klaus's boss (the Chief), his butler, and his subordinates also appear frequently. The men working for Klaus are known as the Alphabets; A, B, G, and Z appear more often than the others. A is in charge of the Alphabets, B is generally portrayed as sort of a bumbling clown, G enjoys crossdressing, and Z is a young agent who hero-worships Klaus.

The series is generally comedic, although it involves a great deal of violence, theft, and bizarre international incidents. Much of it spoofs James Bond type stories (hence the title).