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 Ann O’Regan
Manipulated by the Nurarihyon, a powerful Yokai, the Japanese Self Defense Force attacked Maguro, a temple the teens were using as their base of operations. During the battle Dermot Lane, Rori’s father, grabbed his daughter and teleported them both home to Ireland and Ayane was pulled along for the ride…
For those of you who haven’t been a part of this series you really are missing out on something incredibly special. This is the start of a new arc and it focuses on Rori and her father and the connection they have which will surprise a lot of people. Rori is a part of Japan’s new gods, children with great power and abilities that were beset upon by the old gods fearing they would usurp their place in the world. The older gods effectively did themselves in taking war to the children but it’s not over yet it’ll be something permeates the series.
For now Rori’s father has some explaining to do. How he was able to take his daughter and Ayane to Ireland the way he did. First we get a look at Dermot as a young man meeting Rori’s mother for the first time. This reunion is bittersweet as Rori has to tell her father of what happened to her mother. So what we as a reader get is the complete story to date as she fills in her father of her life since arriving in Japan. Again completely new reader friendly so if you want to join in now is the perfect time to see why this is such a powerfully written and beautifully illustrated.
I’m excited for this arc. We’ve seen what it’s like in Japan with these new and old gods and have really gotten immersed in that culture and now it’s time to learn about Ireland and it’s history with the same things. With Rori’s dual heritage it’ll be interesting to see how her connection to both cultures plays out here. We get a glimpse at the differences already in this issue with Ayane who’s far from home and her connection to her powers have waned. That explanation should be good and if they are only effective on their home soil what does that mean for these kids.
I’m infatuated with the work that Steven does on the interiors. His attention to detail is amazing to see come to life. His eye for storytelling is phenomenal with his use of page layouts through angles, perspective and backgrounds to control the flow of the story. The creativity and imagination he brings in the characters and creatures is wonderful to see. The colouring here as well adds that perfect dimension to the artwork completing the linework.
I can’t wait to explore Ireland’s legends and the gods that inhabit this land. The educational aspect of learning of these foreign lands is high on my list of why I love this series as much as I do. There’s a magic here that combines action/adventure and mystery along with those legends of gods and goddess’ in foreign cultures and a romanticism that’s unexpected and it’s just so well done that you can’t help but get lost in it.