Doom is currently employed at the local bookstore, where he frequently exercises the power of his mighty 33% employee discount. Given the absurdly expensive nature of comics today, this comes in quite handy. I recently picked up a couple of manga series from TokyoPop, commonly known for publishing shoujo crap like “Seraphic Feather” and “Mars.” Fortunately it seems manga, usually flat and lacking in detail, has finally evolved to match the diversity of modern anime.
 PRIEST, VOL. 1-3
 “Priest” is an interesting series, heavily influenced by the western horror stories of Joe R. Lansdale, particularly his short story “Dead in the West.” Our protagonist, Ivan Isaacs, a priest who sold half his soul to the demon Belial in return for the power to combat the occult, travels the old west battling zombies and various servants of the fallen archangel Temozarela, who has declared war upon humanity. Following a train robbery that quickly escalates into a full-out zombie massacre and leaves bandits, passengers and lawmen alike burnt to a crisp and the bandit leader, Lizzie, in the hands of the local sheriff, Isaacs travels to the ghost town of St. Baldlas and defeats Jarbilong, the first of Temozarela’s underlings. Lizzie, meanwhile, teams up with the sheriff, a federal marshal and his hired guns to find out what’s going on. All roads seem to point to a railway station recently completed under the supervision of a madman in order to better facilitate Temozarela’s hostile takeover.
 Far from conventional, Min-Woo Hyung’s “Priest” features artwork that falls somewhere between the unlikely poles of Mike Mignola and Jhonen Vasquez. Though the translation is sometimes awkward, this is a hell of a fun series. I’m a fan of horror stories set in the old west, and though “Priest” lacks Lansdale’s demented humor, it does have a decent balance of plot and action, taking some truly unexpected turns even in the first few volumes. Doom commands you all to read “Priest.” I like it like instant whip.
 REAL BOUT HIGH SCHOOL, VOL. 1
 “Real Bout High School” is a damn goofy series, definitely light reading compared to the ultra-violent “Priest.” Yet if you look a little more closely, there’s some sly commentary on the absurdity of Japan’s overcrowded after-school clubs. The first manga I’ve seen with a separate artist and writer, “RBHS” is hyper-kinetic and ultimately good-natured; and while violent, it is never malicious, gratuitous or bloody. Our heroine, Ryoko Mitsurugi, possibly the meatiest anime female I’ve ever seen, is quite likeable, and a strong woman in many ways. This is one aspect of manga and anime I find most refreshing: both are generally free of the bothersome American concept that women are by necessity physically weaker than men. Ryoko is popular, a practitioner of kendo and sometimes appears in school theatrical productions. She has a crush on Toshiro Mifune. She’s concerned that her impressive height and her strength make her unattractive, an insecurity she discusses often with the president of her kendo club. And she now has a new rival with whom to contend.
 Enter Shizuma Kusanagi, an amiable Western-Japanese transfer student who enjoys beating the hell out of people and has convinced Daimon High Principal Todo to officially sanction physical disputes between various after-school clubs. Soon every club from Tae Kwon Do to Flower Arranging is fighting over various meeting places around campus. By the end of Vol. 1 the teachers are in on the action as well, as Mr. Saotome, well know for bullying his students, prepares for battle with Shizuma with his expulsion or, conversely, Saotome’s retirement, at stake. “RBHS” is hardly literary fare, but it’s a lot of fun to read, the pacing is frenetic and the artwork is sharp.
That’s all for today from Castle von Doom. Coming soon: China Mieville’s debut novel, King Rat. To quote Hellboy: there you go. |
