Kazuo Koike’s COLOR OF RAGE manga

COLOR OF RAGE is a 400+ page manga published by Dark Horse, retailing for US$14.95, rated for 18+ Mature Audiences due to explicit violence, nudity and some sexual situations.

Written by Kazuo Koike, best known for his Lone Wolf & Cub and Lady Snowblood series, with art by Seisaku Kano.

Color of Rage presents the ongoing story of two slaves that manage to free themselves from a slave ship, washing up upon the shore of an Edo-era Japan in the year 1783. George is a Japanese man of considerable skill with a sword, and he is joined by his strong African-American buddy King, as they trek towards George’s village, where he hasn’t been home for over a decade.

The geographic area has recently suffered the effects of a volcano eruption, which caused a chain reaction of events that has brought much environmental devastation and social upheaval. Many peasant villages have either been deserted or destroyed.

Along their travelling, George and King fight various injustice they come across, defending the less fortunate, as well as protecting their own liberties for those that would do them harm. Often, it is George that is moral compass for the actions our two travelers take.

I like the structure of the book, being split up into little moral vignettes, but the overall story of these two unlikely brothers journey continues on. Their is plenty of racial subtext in the script, but I feel the characters mostly had basic moral dilemmas to decide upon, regardless of race.

This is a great manga, a real joy to read, despite some of the situtions being quite unrealistic and fantastic. Sure, it’s sometimes silly, and there were times I laughed out loud for moments that probably wasn’t intending to be humorous. Make no mistake, this is 100% pure PULP manga, and luckily that’s the kind of stuff I love to read the most!

I’m increasingly enjoying Dark Horse presentation of their acquired manga, as they show great respect to the artform and great value for money, also.

8 out of 10.

Kannazuki no Miko #1 (of 2) GN

Kannazuki no Miko is a sci-fi/romance manga series published by Tokyopop, that has spawned a popular anime TV series adaptation.

I’m not usually a fan of sci-fi manga, as I’ve often found this genre difficult to follow and hectic. Sadly, Kannazuki no Miko: Destiny of Shrine Maiden doesn’t improve too much different from those prior experiences.

The art by Kaishaku is quite messy, and made the story difficult to follow and even a chore to read at times.

The major attraction to this series is the yuri relationship between the leading girls Himeko and Chikane, and their connection is, at least, the main aspect of the storyline.

The back cover states this manga to be MATURE 18+, and may include Explicit Sexuality, Sexual Full Body Nudity, Mild Gore and Explicit Fanservice. I feel that this Age rating by Tokyopop is excessive, as nothing in this first volume goes to the level such a warning rating would suggest.

However, the final few pages of volume 1 certainly would fit within “mild gore” and “SLIGHT sexuality”. Of course, the events in volume 2 might be the reason by this high age rating for the series overall.

So, will I be back for volume 2? Well, probably yes, as volume 2 does complete this story. However, I feel that I might be better off seeking the anime version, instead.

6 out of 10.

SUNDOME #2 (of 4) GN

I purchased the second volume of the SUNDOME manga published by Yen Press, and though it is more of the same, it proves to be even better than the first volume.

Sexy Kurumi continually teases Hideo to the brink of orgasm, and occasionally to the other side, in an intriguing game of cat and mouse. Make no mistake, their relationship is certainly master/slave, but this doesn’t stop Hideo from hoping for something more, despite the numerous humiliating situations Kurumi puts him through.

I really like this manga, even though it’s mostly a big tease, there is also a genuine heart to the story and the characters.

The art by Kazuto Okada is superb, the English translation from Christine Schilling is really wonderful, presenting a funny, honest and thoughtful interpretation of the script.

Sigh, now I have to wait a few more months for the next volume…

8 out of 10.

SPIDER-MAN “Brand New Day” hardcover

Spider-Man “Brand New Day” hardcover contains the 2007 Free Comic Book Day issue and issues #546 to #551 of Amazing Spider-Man.

Straight up, the hardcover provides the reader with a 2-page splash presented as…

The New Status Quo!

* Peter Parker dated Mary-Jane but never married. After their break-up, MJ moved to California to pursue an acting career.

* Gwen Stacy is still dead.

* Harry Osborn does not remember he was the Green Goblin, but Peter Parker does! Harry and Peter are best friends.

* Aunt May lives at the old house in Queens, and Peter still lives with her.

* Peter Parker has no money and no job, but it considering getting back into photography.

* NO ONE knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Even though Spider-Man unmasked to the public during Civil War, no one can recall the face under the mask! This also includes other super-heroes.

* Spider-Man’s web-shooters are once again mechanical, with his webbing only lasting an hour before disintegrating.

Ok, now we have that out of the way, let’s get into the hardcover. It begins with Dan Slott’s FCBD “Swing Shift” issue, which introduces new character Jackpot, who is a registered superhero working in New York. Jackpot is a red-haired female who likes to say “Tiger” a lot! Homage or something more? Time will tell.

“Swing Shift” is also the start of the storyline that will run through “Brand New Day”, with the baddie Mister Negative making life difficult for Spider-Man. Oh, and there seems to be another Goblin hopping about!

This hardcover is enjoyable, and a good reboot of the character for both new readers or readers that have not read Spider-Man for years.

However, as fun as the book is to read, I would have liked a lot more humor, and the writing (Dan Slott on #546-#548, Guggenheim #549-551) is for the most part predictable and by-the-numbers.

It’s too early to suggest that Spider-Man is back on track, but it’s a good start, and the possibilities for the character are once more limitless, so I guess that’s what Joe Quesada and Marvel always really wanted, anyway.

7 out of 10.

Top Cow Pilot Season 2008: TWILIGHT GUARDIAN #1

TWILIGHT GUARDIAN is the first of Top Cow’s 2008 Pilot Season one-shot comics. Two out of these 6 one-shots will be fan selected towards becoming an ongoing series.

Twilight Guardian is the story of a teenage girl that goes out every night patrolling her local neighborhood from crime. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, no actual crime actually appears to occur for her, but every night she knows she becomes more prepared and closer to the time when she may need to become a hero!

I really liked this comic. The pace of the storytelling is great, and Troy Hickman’s script genuinely interesting. Art by Reza really bounces off each page, and I loved the faux retro comic book pages.

The comic actually has a quirky Vertigo vibe about it; which is good from my point of view, but is not the traditional kind of comic that has usually come from Top Cow. Time will tell whether fans and publisher alike believe Twilight Guardian can fit within their publishing universe.

There are still the five other “pilot season” comics to be released by Top Cow, but I can confidently state that this will be one of the two I will be supporting and voting for!

8 out of 10.

Terry Moore’s ECHO #3

The third installment of Terry Moore’s ECHO is another good issue, as we discover more about Julie’s past, and the abilities of the super suit that has bonded on her is also expanded.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the issue, was the revelation that the government’s liquid metal has bonded with someone else, too!

At the conclusion of the issue is a couple pages of “concept art”, which further widens the expectations for the series for the future, as we see pin-ups of Julie in “super-hero” costumes, as ECHO.

I’ve read around the internet that some people have felt frustrated by the slow speed of the series so far. I disagree with them. This series is moving along steadily at a perfect pace, as Moore is expertly fleshing out his characters and their world.

8 out of 10.

Garth Ennis’ GODDESS tpb

GODDESS was a 8 issue mini-series published by Vertigo in 1995, finally collected into a trade paperback in 2002.

Written by Garth Ennis and art by Phil Winslade, the comic has a European feel and British 1980s sensibility about it.

Rosie Nolan, a wee Irish girl who suddenly manifests the unlikely ability to perform impossible feats of telekinesis, as well as having an uncannily empathic relationship with animals. After saving the life of sad-sack narrator Jeff at the zoo, Rosie hooks up with him, her overzealous environmentalist friend Mudhawk, and his ticked-off ex-girlfriend Sam. Soon after, the group is on the lam from a rogue CIA agent who wants to capture Rosie’s power for the betterment of the United States’ government, and a really rogue police constable who has a more personal agenda: bloody revenge.

It’s a deep, complex story by Ennis, that thoroughly fleshes out the four major characters, all the while expanding on the subtext of environmental issues and human nature.

Winslade art is extraordinary! Full-painted art, full of magical moments, superbly detailed faces, and highly explicit moments of violence. A lot of the art reminds of the fantastic stuff often seen in Heavy Metal magazine.

This is the kind of off-beat, one-of-a-kind, comic series that Vertigo is best known for. Certainly over-the-top and quite raw!

It’s a great book, but I’d be the first to admit it ain’t for everyone. I found it easier to read it in patches, one or two chapters at a time, rather in one or two big sessions, which I normally do. It’s 256 pages, so it’s going to take some time to get through!

I would love to re-read it one day in a hardcover format, on better paper, and perhaps larger size dimensions.

7.5 out of 10.

BOOSTER GOLD volume 1 “52 Pick-Up” hardcover

I’ve heard many good things about the new Booster Gold series, and have patiently waited about a year for this hardcover collection release of Volume 1 “52 Pick-Up”.

Rip Hunter sets Booster Gold the task of repairing irregularities in time-line continuity, that have originated since the formation of the 52 universes of the DC multi-verse!

Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz constructs a complex, highly-detailed and intelligent time-jumping storyline that has many brilliant moments. Along the way, there is always humor and sincere, heart-felt feelings.

Even Jonah Hex gets a cameo role, and issue 5 is the highlight of the book (a look back at Alan Moore’s KILLING JOKE).

Dan Jurgens, the creator of Booster Gold, is the artist for the series. Dan Jurgens just happens to be one of the best artists working in the industry today. So it’s the complete package!

This is easily one of the most memorable and awesome reading experience of 2008!

9 out of 10.

SHE-HULK “Jaded” premiere hardcover

She-Hulk “Jaded” collects issues 22 to 27. This contains the beginning of the writing run of Peter David, which has earned the series an upgrade from trade paperback to Marvel’s premiere hardcover format.

Jennifer Walters is no longer a lawyer, but now working as a fugitive recovery officer, effectively working as a bounty hunter capturing villains that skip bail!

Along for the ride on her many road-trips, is her best pal Jazinda, a Skrull on the run from everyone, human and her own species included.

It’s an interesting turn in direction by Peter David, as She-Hulk’s new vocation certainly opens up more opportunities for action and adventure.

However, what we have lost from Dan Slott’s amazing run is the in-joke cleverness and overall humor that made the series a joy. Peter David definitely knows how to write funny stuff, but in this opening issues just hasn’t settled right into the character properly.

I do like where the series is going, and have faith that Peter David is too good a writer to stuff it up!

7.5 out of 10.

The EXTERMINATORS volume 4 Crossfire And Collateral

I’ve really enjoyed The Exterminators so far, even though the comic is probably the biggest “slow burn” of all time!

This volume 4 tpb collects issues 17 to 23.

Issues 17 and 18 is the 2-part story “Showdown At Scatshot”. It is possibly the most boring and annoying issues of the series, thus far. It may even be the reason why Vertigo has decided to “finish up” the series at issue 30 (instead of 50).

Issues 19 to 23 , the 5-part epic “Crossfire and Collateral”, is a great return to form and overall focus. Issue 20 in particular is one of the best issues of the entire series.

The biggest frustration with the series is that a lot more could have been done quicker. Though I do enjoy the patient, slow burn of the series, there are many times the comic appears to get side-tracked on things that are less interesting and perhaps pointless (time will tell).  I’m sure what has taken 23 issues could also be done in about 10!

There is 7 issues to go, meaning one more tpb. How this series ends will greatly determine its value and effectiveness. Let’s hope it wasn’t all just a big waste of time!

7 out of 10.