Image Comics 2014
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Seven Cummings
Coloured by Tamra Bonvillain
Colour Assists by Brittany Peer
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Back Matter by Zack Davisson
Manipulated by the Nurarihyon, a powerful Yokai, the Japanese Self Defense Force attacked Meguro, a temple the teens were using as their base of operations. During that battle Dermot Lane, Rori’s father, grabbed his daughter and vanished, leaving the others to fend for themselves…
It’s so cute to see the love story unfold between Rori’s parents. I mean this not so demure Japanese woman and this fiery Irish Lad on a date and we get to see those moments when you know that there’s more to this than they do. In their feelings, the way Jim and Steven portray this is wonderful and you can see those special moments where that connection is made and it does the heart good even knowing the eventual outcome.
So now we finally get to go back to Japan and see what happens moments after Dermot took his daughter and Ayane away. There’s something to be said for the way these kids manage to keep surviving. They are crafty, resourceful and full of surprises and it’s no wonder they’ve managed to become some of the most interesting, unique and endearing characters in comics today. With only two, Inaba and NIki, at the mercy of Nurarihyon it seems that their time is up but the surprises keep coming this time from Niki. Oh and Segawa maybe he’ll be the newest addition to the teens after all this is through and he realises just how he’s been used and that he’s that disposable.
Steven and Tamra (plus Brittany) do some of the most gorgeous and detailed work in the interiors month after month. I mean it’s so damn good and with the way page layouts are use with angles, perspective and those all important (and again incredibly detailed) backgrounds they really put the reader into the story like few others can. The creativity, imagination and the research and real life experience in bringing Japan to life like this is beyond expectation and so welcome to see.
Two things happen one is with Segawa in tow Inaba and Niki flee the scene and could end up captured thanks to a panicking Segawa. We’ll see how that plays out and if so then it’s going to be up to Ohara and Shirai to rescue them. Provided they can keep themselves safe. I like what we see here the use of their powers and where they spend the night, where no one would expect. Then to see how Shirai senses a presence and it ends with such a cliffhanger. I mean if that’s one of the old gods holy mackerel! Though once again the creativity, imagination and attention to detail are utterly astonishing.
There’s a reason this is a 5 Star book time after time and that’s because it’s so incredibly well written with strong characters/characterisation and some of the best artwork in the business. If this doesn’t expand the mind to accept, love and enjoy other cultures you’re a lost cause heh.