IDW Publishing 2016
Created & Written by Amit Chauhan
Created & Illustrated by Eli Powell
Coloured by K. Michael Russell
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Ochita’s training is complete and she has been inducted into the Yakuza. But the celebration’s cut short when the grand demon Gaikotsu attacks. Now the Yakuza’s secret war is public and Ochita has been incapacitated after a sneak attack by the witch Dodomeki.
Holy demonic hosts Batman! This is what it’s all about right here. The conclusion to the introductory arc and the set up for the next round. I’m a huge believer in the fact that when you find a story that goes places you were never expecting it to and constantly surprises you with the series of events that unfold you should support it. This is one of those stories that you need to be reading because it’s just that well told.
That this series has not only introduced us to a city and way of life that we don’t normally get to see was a huge factor in reading it. I mean how often do we get a look at the Yakuza in Japan and see one of the most dangerous and influential organisations in the world today? Then add into all that that demons are real and the usually corrupt Yakuza protect the world from them and you’ve really gone and piqued the right elements of curiosity.
That Amit is able to write these characters and give us this level of characterisation that constantly changes with each circumstance shows off his writing ability. It’s hard to keep that ebb and flow moving at this pace and yet make the reader feel like they are a part of the ride and not just a viewer of it. Plus that constant motion of the story through the events are never exactly what you think they are going to be. One moment you are sure that a very specific thing will happen only be proven wrong in the most spectacular way. That makes the story so much more enjoyable as well.
I love the style of the artwork for the interiors here. Such great use of angles, perspective and the use of page layouts to really up the impact of the work on the pages. Usually i’m the one shouting for more backgrounds but the minimalist approach here seems to work and give off that darker horror aspect that fits with the subject matter.
A constant thrill ride that will take you edge of madness and beyond this is not to be missed.