CHINESE HERO:TALES OF THE BLOOD SWORD vol.5
Author: Wing Shing Ma
ISBN: 978-1-59796-124-0
Date Published: 2/27/2008 Format: Paperback / Soft cover/ Color
Number of pages: 240
Rating: 13+ Price: $18.95
Pre-order: $17.95
Hero defeats Steel Bull and rescues the captured people in Steel Bull Valley. However, before dying, Steel Bull lets out a battle cry, calling a stampede of mad bulls charging into the valley and furiously attacking everyone. The crazed bulls are eventually defeated, but with tragic consequences…
While Hero is trying to get back to China Tower, he meets a soothsayer who tells him that he is going to be lonely for the rest of his whole life. Hero sees this as a dark omen of more unfortunate events to come… Meanwhile,China Tower is attacked while Hero is gone, and Zhi, Qin and Ghost Servant fight for their lives as they desperately try to fend off the Black Dragon Gang. Will China
My problem,of course,is to look at these books critically. I just cannot.
Wing Shing Ma is a legend in Chinese language comics –some may recall the influx [very briefly] of Tony Wong’s Jademan Comics in the 1980s when we first read Blood Sword in English. Those comics showed Ma’s wonderful art style but these Dr Master books are something else!
The book contains chapters 33-39 and as is usual,Dr Master Publications production quality is superb. Thankfully,there has been no attempt to wipe out Chinese text effects because that would have really spoilt the look.
The action is rendered in Ma’s usual standard with characterisation and action looking good and flowing well. It is just a treat to hold and go through these books and if only a few of the thousands who visit CBO purchased copies to see what I mean I truly think Ma would be recognised as a comic genius –and maybe get some of the fame he deserves in the West.
10 out of 10 for this one [though it should be 25 out of 10!!]
METRO SURVIVE vol.1
Author: Yuki Fujisawa
ISBN: 978-1-59796-125-7
Date Published: 02/25/2008
Format: Paperback / B & W Number of pages: 204
Rating: 15+ Price: $9.95
Pre-order: $8.95
Mishima is your average spineless pushover, working as a repairman for the Exopolis Tower,Tokyo’s largest and hottest high-rise business and entertainment building. He promises to come home in time to celebrate his son’s birthday, but when he lets his pushy boss saddle him with overtime, the task takes him all night.
On the morning subway train heading home, a massive earthquake strikes and collapses both Exopolis and its underground train lines.
Now Mishima is trapped deep underground with the other passengers of the train, some of whom are less than cooperative. Will he be able to take the initiative for once and lead them all to freedom, or will they starve in their underground prison?
If you are expecting a Manga version of Stallone’s “Daylight” –forget it. This book is far more enjoyable! Sadly,letratone in these books is growing on me!
The pace and characterisation is good and I guess you always wonder what might happen if this scenario really happened –more than likely a lot of people sitting around muttering “family will be glad –they don’t have to pay for a coffin now!” Or is that just me?
A nice eye-catching cover and I can see Manga fans loving this one. Ahh,then there’s…
LUNAR LEGEND TSUKIHIME vol.5
Author: Sasakishonen ISBN: 978-1-59796-171-4
Date Published: 2/28/2008 Format: paperback / B&W
Number of pages: 224
Rating: 15+ Price: $9.95
Pre-order: $8.95
After rescuing Shiki from his dangerous encounter with Roa, Ciel warns him in vain to stay away from Arcueid, who may have an ulterior motive. Meanwhile, Shiki cannot shake off the feeling that he knows Roa, and a visit to the garden of his house jolts his memory, piercing him with visions of Roa as a child, along with a voice telling him that he will become a “true monster” someday.
Darn it! I got volume 5!!! Not sure how you can review a series five issues in but I’ll try.
I sat down and read this one straight through. It’d make a great movie! Shiki’s childhood memories keep haunting him and I liked the way things were paced so that when the violence does taka place it jars wonderfully –especially as the killer has been so cute up to that point.
A secret personal and family secret –and much,much more makes this a well recommended book –see if you can find volunes 1-4!
Comic Bits Online is the web version of the Comic Bits magazine Edited and run by Terry Hooper. Currently Interviews Editor at Manga Life,Terry has over thirty years experience in the comic industry as script writer,artist,freelance Editor,publisher and much more. But if you want the facts:
Curriculum vitae Name:Terry HooperDob:6th June 1957 [50 yrs]Currently living Ashton Vale,Bristol,United Kingdom ...
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