Graphic Novel (Manga) Review

I had another night of staying up late and reading manga. This time my late night reading pleasure was Vassalord.

It’s about a cyborg vampire, who works for the Catholic Church and his relationship with his master vampire Johnny Rayflo. I had originally read a snippet of the manga in an issue on Anime Insider and I was intrigued with what I read. However, I find now that the snippet I previewed and the summary on the back of the cover does not do the manga justice. I had originally thought it was this dark, bloody story about a vampire cyborg who is trying to destroy this other vampire who he is actually in love with.

It’s actually quite funny to begin with, they are vampires but the cyborg Charley isn’t trying to kill Johnny. They have a relationship and it’s the relationship between the two of them that I find really interesting and want to learn more about. Together the two of them, so far, solve these vampire related incidents. Their personal relationship is much more intriguing then the cases they solve together. It’s the kind of relationship where they suck blood and possible a few other things (I’m just assuming).

The issue I have with the manga is the drawing, particularly when it comes to the fighting/action scenes. They tend to be just a series of strokes and lines making it very difficult to see what is occurring in the panel (kind of messy and blurry). When there are no action scenes then I am able to get into the story but the minute a fight scene occurs I am completely confused as to who did what or how they did it. I have to read the next panel to piece it all together.

Overall, I really like Vassalord. I have to say I tend to have a bias opinion for manga with pretty, handsome guys but not always (for example Cain. I wasn’t feeling that one). I am looking forward to reading the next volume scheduled for release on November 11, 2008.

I am fascinated by vampires and relationships so the two come together nicely. Check out my Vassalord Volume 1 book summary coming up soon.

Book details:
Tokyopop
Age: 16+
Creator: Nanae Chrono

#1 The Day He Changed

Kashimashi (girl meets girl) begins with an introduction of the 17 year old male character Hazumu Osaragi. He has feelings for Yasuna Kamuzumi but when he goes to confess his love for her she turns him down.

In an effort to move on and forget about her Hazumu journeys into the Kashima Mountains while there he is struck by a spaceship. The alien, feeling just horrible about the incident, works on restoring Hazumu’s life and body. Unfortunately, during the process something irreversible happens.

The alien heads into town to reveal his identity to the townspeople (It’s part of the Interplanetary Life Preservation code). During his explanation he explains what has occurred on Kashima Mountains and how he was able to restore life into the earthling but he got the gender all wrong and now “he” is a “she” The alien then returns Hazumu to his parents and friends as a cute and busty girl.

Everyone is shocked by this startling information, even Yasuna (who apparently like girls and that was the reason why she turned Hazumu down). (more…)