Manga Quick Hits: Biomega, Black Lagoon, Fullmetal Alchemist

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+

Manga Reviews: Quick Hits

Jormungand Volume 1

Koko Hekmatyar is an eccentric arms dealer who spends her off time between selling firearms recruiting talented killers into her group of psychotic mercenaries. Jonah, a child soldier who lost his parents in war, is her latest recruit. The only problem is Jonah hates weapons and the people who deal them.

Volume one introduces us to the band of mercenaries as they face off against a corrupt leader of an unnamed eastern European country. Afterward, the team comes against a rival group of arms dealers as they try to exit the country.

Jormungand’s plot is straightforward but at times difficult to get into. Aside from Jonah, none of the characters are sympathetic and lack any real motivation. Each one has a peculiar personality trait but little else to distinguish one from the other.

Artwork is sketchy and unrefined. Panels are muddy without any consideration to detail. At times it was difficult to follow the action laid out on the page, let alone tell the characters apart from one another.

Unfortunately, Jormungand lacks depth. The characters are shallow and uninspired. Jonah, the only character to be given a back-story is pushed aside in favor of the off the wall leader Koko. The series shows potential but unfortunately, this first volume does little to convince us of it.

Jormungand Volume 1 – C




















Black Lagoon Volumes 2-3

After an explosive first volume, Black Lagoon cranks the action up to an 11. The first half of volume two sees the crew squaring off against a band of over the top neo Nazis as they race to retrieve a long lost painting for a client who is more than what he seems. The second half of the volume takes a darker turn when a pair of psychotic children known as Hansel and Gretel begin killing off several members of the mafia, prompting an all out war.

Volume 2 continues the trend of meshing violence with enjoyable, thought out characters while introducing outlandish new faces into the mix with the addition of a group of arms dealing nuns, aptly named the rip-off church, and the deranged duo of Hansel and Gretel.

The plot doesn’t take a backseat to the action as valuable time is given to developing Rock and Revy’s relationship. The confrontation between the two raises the drama to new highs as the two find they have more in common than they may have thought.

Volume 3 continues the arc set up in the second with Hansel and Gretel on the run and the members of the Lagoon crew caught up in the mix. Balalaika, the head of the Russian mafia, sets out to avenge her fallen comrades, giving rise to chaos in the streets. Eventually the twins take refuge with the Lagoon company, setting up an emotional scene with Rock as he learns about their past and laments that he is helpless to save them.

This is a fast-paced series that isn’t afraid to take risks. These volumes house some of the best stories of the series. It’s hard to treat this as a normal series as it manages to push the violence while still slipping in a heart breaking story. It’s emotionally powerful while still retaining the over the top action we have come to expect from it. Black Lagoon has yet to disappoint.

Black Lagoon Volume 2 – A+
Black Lagoon Volume 3 – A





















Inuyasha VizBig Volume 1

I have said it before and I will say it again; Rumiko Takahashi is the queen of manga. Inuyasha, originally released in 1997 gained critical acclaim for its colorful characters and captivating story. Though the manga has been available for a number of years thanks to Viz Media, This new edition takes the first three volumes and packs them into a single omnibus addition for a fraction of the price.

In these early stories, it’s easily apparent why fans allowed themselves to grow attached to the characters. Kagome is your typical high school student constantly studying to maintain her grades while still having to listen to her oddball grandfather tell stories about Japanese folklore. She lives with her family at the Higurashi shrine situated next to a sacred tree and a mysterious well. Unfortunately for Kagome, her peaceful life is turned upside down when a giant centipede demon bursts through the well a drags her down for the ride, transporting them back in time to feudal era Japan.

The demon, like most others, is after the sacred jewel, currently in Kagome’s possession. With her back against the wall, she has no choice but to free the powerful half-demon Inuyasha, who also seeks the sacred jewel so that he may transform himself into a full-fledged demon.

Takahashi weaves a certain magic into her manga that somehow makes each one of her series a guaranteed hit. Whether it’s the beautifully rendered characters or the passion she brings to her work, there is something special about her.

For fans that already own the series, Viz has added an extra incentive to purchase this new edition buy un-flipping the artwork that was originally edited when it came to the states. This is the purest form of Inuyasha American fans may ever get and it was the way it was meant to be read.

This is a long series, as evidenced by the fact that the first three volumes act as merely introductions to the central characters while others have yet to make an appearance. The new omnibus editions are cost effective and easier for fans to collect.

Inuyasha is a series that gets better as it goes. Once you start, it becomes difficult to stop. The story is wonderful and with these new editions, more accessible. Whether your’e new to the series or a returning fan, you should be sure to give them a look. This is Inuyasha as Rumiko Takahashi originally intended.

Inuyasha Vizbig Volume 1 - A

Mangaphile - Spreading the Word on Manga

Mangaphile – A person infatuated with manga
Manga - Japanese Comics

What is it about beautiful woman who wield dangerous weapons that continues to fascinate us? Black Lagoon may not have the answer but it sets out to remind the audience why we love them.

Black Lagoon follows the exploits of Rokuro Okajima, or “Rock” as he later comes to be known, as he becomes entangled in the dealings of foul mouthed outlaws and fearsome gangsters. When he is caught in the middle of his company’s industrial crisis, he is abandoned by his superiors, forcing him to make the fateful decision of beginning a new life as a member of the outlaw crew who reside on the Black Lagoon.

Each member of the group serves a purpose aboard the ship, carrying out specific duties best designed for them. Dutch serves as the calm calculating leader, Revy as the guntoting beauty, and Benny, the computer genius and engineer. As the book unfolds, the crew becomes involved with one crazy mission after another, all in the name of earning a quick buck.

The idea that a woman could be just as capable as a man when it comes to kicking butt and taking names is prominently featured throughout the book as some of the toughest characters are female. From the malicious mafia leader Balalaika to the rocket wielding maid Roberta, Black Lagoon provides a breath of fresh air in not just its knack for over the top characters but also its willingness to show women who are as respected as they are feared.

Being an action series, Black Lagoon shamelessly pumps out page after uber-violent page of blood inducing gore. Make no mistake, this is not a title for youngsters. Blood is prevalent and profanities are strewn across every other page. Fortunately, the series never tries to be something it isn’t. Part of what make Black Lagoon so fun is its acceptance of its own violent nature.

The main strength of the series would have to be its art, which is provided by Rei Hiroe, who serves as both its artist and writer. The artwork delivers in both the design and the action. Each page is layed out carefully, populated with cleverly unique characters and perfectly paced action choreography that looks to have come straight out of a movie.

Reading Black Lagoon almost feels like watching your favorite Quentin Tarantino film. The graphic non-stop violence and the foul mouthed personas that run rampant act as parts of a whole that when combined, form a brutal sexually charged thrill ride that will leave you wanting for more.