Biomega Volume 1
Story and Art: Tsutomu Nihei
Rating: Mature
In the year 3005, humanity has finally accomplished its first manned expedition to Mars. As the crew sifts through what appears to be remnants of a civilization, they find an odd looking woman standing before them without the aid of a suit. Skipping back six months earlier, a black-clad motorcyclist named Zouichi races through the streets of a zombie infected Earth searching for a girl named Eon Green, a mysterious girl who may hold the cure to stopping the virus ravishing the human race.
As is common for a series by Nihei, art takes precedence over story. Word bubbles are few and far between, allowing the art to tell the story. This is where Nihei excels as he fills each panel with nightmarish landscapes and twisted figures that would inspire fear in anyone.
While the story might not be all that original, Nihei does his best to make up for it by adding as many off the wall concepts as he can. With a motorcycle that can talk to a grizzly bear battling zombies with a shot-gun, Nihei jams everything he can into the series. In truth, if it weren’t for his visual style, it would be almost impossible to take any of this seriously.
Biomega is a blend of science fiction and horror from one of the industry’s most underrated artists. It is cyberpunk and zombies all rolled into one. If you are looking for a thought provoking story with depth, you won’t find it here; However if cinematic composition and gravity defying action is your thing, then crack open a volume and enjoy.
Biomega Volume 1 - B+
Black Lagoon Volume 6
Story and Art: Rei Hiroe
Rating: Mature
Coming on the heels of Rock and Revy’s return from Japan, the Lagoon Company once again finds itself in the thick of things as a clueless money counterfeiter on the lam stumbles into the church of violence for help. As it happens, the girl, aptly referred to as Greenback Jane, once worked for the cartel who have since grown impatient with her. After stumbling through the church’s doors, who should she find but Revy and Eda and from there all hell breaks loose. Naturally the Lagoon crew are more than ready to “take care” of Jane for a price, prompting the cartel to seek out every major assassin Roanapur has to offer.
Familiar faces such as Shenhua return while new characters like the gothic chainsaw wielding Sawyer and the flashy Lotton the Wizard join the eccentric cast. Whereas the last arc carried a solemn feel with it, this one is all about the action and explosions. There is one major reveal about Eda that is shocking to say the least and hopefully comes into play later on.
The second half of the book deals with the Lovelace family and the return of a certain killer maid. As it turns out, Roberta is back in town seeking those who assassinated her master putting all of Roanapur on alert. Unfortunately for Revy and the crew, thanks to their past encounters with Roberta, most of the mafia believes they are responsible. Even more surprising is when another maid arrives with her own lethal skill set, with orders from the Lovelace family to bring Rock to them.
Black Lagoon continues to get better as it goes. Volume six raises the bar in both action and story. Returning characters make this a memorable entry that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Black Lagoon Volume 6 - A
Fullmetal Alchemist Volumes 21 and 22
Story and Art: Hiromu Arakawa
Rating: Teen
Fullmetal Alchemist is arguably the best manga on the shelves right now. It’s steady rise in popularity is well deserving thanks to likeable characters and an engaging story that successfully melds triumph and tragedy along with humor and despair. Written by Hiromu Arakawa, the manga strives to be more than just the typical shonen tale.
The story revolves around the brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, as they travel the world seeking a way to restore what they have lost. The backstory of the two is a grisly one; having lost their mother to an unexplained illness, the two boys resort to the only way they know to bring her back: Alchemy.
Unfortunately, the use of Alchemy carries a price and Ed and Al’s failed attempt is a costly one. The results are less than kind as Ed’s arm and leg are ripped away from him literally while Al’s entire body is taken from him, leaving his soul attached to an empty suit of armor. Resolved to set things right, they set out in search of the Philosopher’s stone, the ultimate tool in alchemy, with both willingly signing their lives over to the military in exchange for information and the means to obtaining the stone.
22 volumes in and the series finally enters its final stretch. Ed and Al are finally reunited, though not in the way they expected and Mustang’s group finally makes its move, kidnapping King Bradley’s wife. Elsewhere, the King finds himself the victim of an assassination plot, leaving the military wide open for a coup.
The bulk of Volume 21 deals with Ed and his group combating Pride whose terrifying powers make him more than a threat, but a force of nature. Pride’ power is so immense that it can shake the confidence of even the usually self assured Greed. Towards the volume’s end, Pride is given a power boost that effectively squashes the brother’s best efforts.
The fight spills over into the next volume where, thanks to the arrival of Hohenheim and some quick thinking from Al, Pride is finally neutralized. Meanwhile, back at Central Olivier Armstrong decides to seize her chance and take down high command. Unfortunately for her, Sloth is waiting as well as an army of mutated Homunculi. With the heroes’ backs against the wall, things become even more dire when both Envy and Pride are set free.
At this point Arakawa has become a true master of her craft. The dramatic tension soars with all the key players locked in an all-or-nothing battle for the fate of the country. Arakawa has shown before that she isn’t afraid to take chances, leaving several characters fates up in the air. Suspense permeates every page makes It hard to believe this series can get any better.
Fullmetal Alchemist Volumes 21 - A+
Fullmetal Alchemist Volumes 22 - A+
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