Image Comics 2014
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Steven Cummings
Coloured by Tamra Bonvillain
Colour Assists by Brittany Peer
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Back Matter by Zack Davisson
Genkuro, a powerful shape-changer and clan leader amongst the kitsune, has called a gathering of his soldiers to Tokyo Tower to mount an offensive against their young and unpredictable foes, but they don’t know that Rori and her friends are about to drop in unanounced…
The Nurarihyon surprises me this issue. Yes I know he’s trying to rally the clans around him but to hear his own narration made me think twice about him. Perhaps he’s not as bad as I think he is or he’s just trying to find a way to survive the best he can? HIs meeting with Genkuro to open this issue was kind of pointless for them, for us it served to kind of flesh a few things out for us as readers more.
I’m still fascinated to see how the old gods are reacting to the new gods. I does remind me of what happened between Zeus and his father Chronos in the legends anyway. We’ve seen how Rori and her friends have been resistant to the past and now we’re starting to see more and more how the old gods are just as resistant to change. Jim is an amazing writer and it’s nice to see that he’s showing us that it’s not just the younger generation that’s resistant to change here. Also how readily going to war seems to be the answer.
Honestly when we see the kids for the first time this issue under Nurarihyon’s narration it really is pretty dead on accurate, okay at least how I also see things. The impetuousness of youth is a common phrase for it but it really boils down to a few more base things, a feeling of entitlement, lack of understanding or caring and the best of all no respect. How this is being presented to us here is pretty shocking as Jim manages to weave it throughout this incredible story as easily as Rori weaves the strands of reality through her fingers.
This was a pretty violent issue and while only the readers truly understand what’s happening with Rori, though really I think that Shirai should have noticed the difference in her. So now I have to wonder if this is something that once freed of will haunt her or is this going to be the new status quo? How long can they go without realizing she isn’t herself at times? Though Ayane really is so bloodthirsty like a big cat that she’s more than willing to overlook Rori’s own bloodlust and violence.
O’Hara is a delight. I think she’s like the epitome of what we see a Japanese girl, her love of anime and little toys, her obedience to her parents and sweet nature then flipped on a dime as we see her fight makes the scariest of the bunch. Though her along with their newest recruit do say a lot about this new generation of children and their place in the world.
Every month I’m constantly amazed by the quality of the interior artwork here. Steven has emerged as one of my favourite artists with his attention to detail, imagination on display, use of backgrounds, page and panel layouts not to mention just the sheer amount of work that I see in each issue. This is alive and vibrant and full of awe, wonder, terror and makes me the struggle going on.
There are so many reasons both bold & obvious to subtle and devious to love this series and with two trades out right now it’s a perfect time to discover why.