About Heroes

Dragon Eye vols. 2 & 3
Story & Art: Kairi Fujiyama
Translation: Mari Morimoto
Publisher Del Rey

It’s been a few months since we reviewed the first volume of this great manga, but we play catch-up by reading volumes 2 and 3 back to back. The Dracules have planned to take over Mikuni, but the members of VIUS led by the mysterious Issa, Leila who is still training to be a great warrior, and Sosei stand in their way. It seems that Leila wants more from Issa than his expertise. She’s got her eyes on his Dragon Eye, a powerful magic weapon. With the Eye, Leila can become the world’s greatest soldier-and finally avenge her parents’ death! The trio must team up with a group of four to explore the outskirts where Dracules have been spotted. It was difficult to put the books down, the more they hint at revealing Issa’s past the more I want to stick around and find out more. Tensions really rise when each member of the VIUS encounters a Dracule or every time we think the Dragon Eye will be used. This doesn’t feel like the monster of the week that plagued the first volume; it has finally picked up steam and doesn’t get boring at all. I love the fast paced adventures and the dynamic artwork really helps with those great action sequences. Sure it is very reminiscent of Naruto (now this could be because they have the same translator as well), but with enough originality and style it really does stand on its own two legs. Looks like Del Rey has another great hit in their hands! A

Metro Survive Vol. 1
Story & Art: Yuki Fujisawa
Translator: Stephen Paul
Adaptation: Ailen Lujo
Publisher: DrMaster

I really hate saying this, but that cover doesn’t do this book justice. You really have no idea what the book is going to be about with a bleeding chick on your cover. The story takes place after a massive earthquake hits the super-metropolis Tokyo. In the wake of the devastation the story the characters must learn to survive in this No Man’s Land. Mishima is a maintenance 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 his timid ways lets him get push-overed into working over time that will take him all night. On the subway train heading home, the 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 without food and water. The situation really makes you feel for Mishima, all he wants is to get out alive and see his family, but when you put him in a situation where not everyone is cooperating his true colors really shine. He is a timid man like I stated earlier, but he is thrown into a leadership role and forced to take charge. I couldn’t put the book down and let me tell you it takes a while to read, because it is very dialogue heavy. I love movies and books about human survival and this book was unsettling to read sometimes, because some of the characters feel so real and they all cope with this disaster separately. My only complaint was the cover, but don’t let that lure you away from picking this great book up. A

Naruto vol. 28
Story & Art: Masashi Kishimoto
Translation: Mari Morimoto
Adaptation: Deric A. Hughes & Benjamin Raab
Publisher: Viz

Naruto is back! I guess we can think of this just like the transition period between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. This really does begin the second part of Naruto’s adventures. Luckily we only had to wait just a couple of months for his return. But in Naruto’s timeline over two years have passed since Jiraiya took Naruto under his wing to train. They both return to Konoha village for an emotional and short reunion with their friends. Naruto looks taller and seems wiser than he did in volume 27. Now Kakashi has to treat Sakura and Naruto as equals, not as his students (and like him, I think I enjoyed when they hung on every word he said). The village receives news that the Akatsuki are attacking the Sand village and Tsunade orders the trio to go and investigate. But, it’s not a happy reunion for Team Kakashi, Temari, and Gara. I loved this volume; it was like seeing old friends again. Even though it’s only been two months since the last volume of Naruto came out, it really feels like in two years every has matured and changed in appearance and in skills. I love the foreshadowing when Jiraiya tells Naruto not to use a specific jutsu. The manga reads a little more mature than its 27 volume predecessor. It doesn’t seem like Naruto is the prankster he used to nor is he trying to achieve some impossible dream like when he was a kid. If this is the new format for storytelling in the Naruto universe then count me as a Naruto fanboy! While I did enjoy the original run, it wasn’t until this volume that I really dug the characters (with the exception of the Kakashi story). If you are a fan, you know you have bought this. If you’ve never read Naruto, pick this up! There is a nice recap page with events that happened in the preceding 27 volumes. A+

Seduction More Beautiful than Love vol.1
Story & Art: Lee Hyeon-sook
Translation: Dongjin Oh
Adaptation: Barb Lien-Cooper
Publisher: Tokyopop

Wow, that is one long title and judging by that cover seduction could be more fun than love, but I’m not sure about beautiful. Anyway, the story focuses on first year high school teacher Daoun and her ambitions she has with her new job. Along comes second year senior Ryumin, who also happens to be tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious and oh yeah, happens to have a crush on her. Now Daoun is start to have mixed feelings about her student and doesn’t know how to handle it. But wait, there is a third party involved in this story that just complicates things further and his name is Hyunwoo. He’s been in love with Daoun since they were classmates and now he is her fellow coworker who notices the sexual tension between Daoun and her student. However, Hyunwoo is shy and when he tries to share a perfect day with Dauon it all goes wrong. It’s not really a great love triangle, but still an interesting one. To complicate things even further Ryumin has a very jealous girlfriend who will do anything to keep her man. While Ryumin may seem like a suave guy, he is really an emotional wreck. He had an accident that left him with physical and emotional scars. While the illustrations are elegant and detailed, I really think they are averaged. Some scenes the faces are left blank and I’m not sure if the artist is trying to make an artistic point or if its laziness. Whatever it is, it really didn’t add anything to the story for me. I really enjoy the drama and the romance in this title though. Soap operas don’t get any better than this. B+

SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom vols. 6 & 7
Story & Art: Chi Wan Shun
Translator: Yun Zhao
Adaptation: Shawn Sanders
Publisher: DrMaster

If these books had been released 15 years ago I would have given blood and plasma for it. At 15 I bled SNK and Capcom and for a match of the century like this to take place in a comic I don’t think my heart could have taken it. Things are a little different now, but these books still bring out the kid in me. The story follows the premise of the game "SNK vs. Capcom Chaos" where the fighters had to die to get into this great tournament. Here in this realm between worlds the best of the best fighters fight it out. They even give you back stories of characters for those who aren’t really that savvy with worlds SNK or Capcom. It seems everything is coming together for the grand finale. Akkuma has been defeated by Athena and must now be a servant to Cosmos. Ryu and Ken have a long match that lasts more than one volume. While the stories will probably get any fanboy’s blood flowing the artwork is really what takes the center stage. Each action sequence is portrayed in nice tight pencils and ink and the colors while not flashy really flatter those pencils. Still, some of the "money shots" are fully painted, making the art look absolutely gorgeous. Fans of Capcom and SNK will no doubt be picking this fantastic series up and I assure you that you will definitely get your money’s worth, unlike the times you were getting your butt handed to you at the arcade. A-

Togari
Story & Art: Yoshinori Natsume
Translation: Hiroko Yoda
Adaptation: Matt Alt
Publisher: Viz

For some reason I thought of Go Nagai when I looked at the cover. Perhaps it was the eyes or hair, but something really reminded me of Nagai’s work. I was also reminded of Ushio and Tora, so needless to say I had high expectations going into this book. The plot revolves around Tobei, a tortured soul in Hell for 300 years now for committing horrible atrocities while he was alive, but he's never repented for the crimes that he committed. In fact, he's more defiant now than ever. Lady Ema, is like the warden of Hell, offers him a way out. She gives him 108 days to collect 108 sins, or Toga. Toga are sins which have taken corporeal form in the shape of various monsters which are able to possess humans. Tobei is given the Togari, a wooden sword which can be used to defeat Toga. If he can complete this mission in the time he was given, Tobei will be pardoned and freed from Hell. The first person he has to save from a Toga is Isuki, who manages to get abducted by a serial killer. This book reminds me of a cross between Key the Metal Idol and Bleach. 108 days really isn’t enough for this guy to do all this, but I find myself believing in Tobei. It’s a darker tone manga and the art style really helps set the mood. Even though it’s dark and sketchy it really is easy to follow. While it’s not the most original story it was a still a fun read, but I’m not sure how long they can keep the story going if he only has 108 days to do it in. B-