Showing posts with label Kohske. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kohske. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Review: GANGSTA: Cursed Volume 5

GANGSTA: CURSED, VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Kohske
ART: Syuhei Kamo
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Christine Dashiell
LETTERS: Eric Erbes
EDITOR: Leyla Aker
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0156-8; paperback (June 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

Gangsta: Cursed is a seinen manga (comics for adult men) from writer Kohske and artist Syuhei Kamo.  It is a prequel to Kohske's crime manga, Gangsta, and was originally published in the Japanese manga magazine, Quarterly Comic Go Go Bunch, from 2014 to 2018.  VIZ Media published the manga in English as a five-volume series of graphic novels entitled Gangsta: Cursed, under its “VIZ Signature” imprint.  VIZ's series recently came to an end.

Gangsta: Cursed is largely set in the crime-ridden city of Ergastulum.  The story explores the dark and violent past of key characters from Gangsta, with a focus on Marco Adriano a.k.a. “Spas.”  “Hunters” find and kill “Twilights,” humans who have powers and abilities that normal humans do not.  Spas belongs to the most notorious group of Hunters, the quintet known as “The Second Destroyers,” but he is loosing his sense of “justice.”

Gangsta: Cursed, Vol. 5 (Chapters 14 to 18) opens in the aftermath of Spas killing Maverick, fellow Hunter and his mentor.  Spas has come to believe that Twilights are not monsters, but that he, as a prolific killer of Twilights, is the monster.  Now, Spas must confront the rest of “The Second Destroyers” (a.k.a. the “Second Destroyers Group”):  Beretta, Minimi, and especially Striker.  This rift in Spas and Striker's moral stances will scar them forever.

Plus, Don Luca Cristiano and Galahad gather the remaining Twilights as the recent violence against their community subsides.  Don Luca and his wife, Shelly, welcome their first child into the world, but it is another child that the Don welcomes into his larger family that will generate consternation.

[This volume includes bonus manga, “0.5” and four-panel comics.]

I had told you, dear readers, that I was initially skeptical of the Gangsta: Cursed manga.  After reading the first volume of Cursed, I was impressed.  The series certainly offered a lot of kinetic action scenes and plenty of ultra-violence.  Gangsta: Cursed is written the original series' creator-writer-artist, Kohske, and is drawn by Syuhei Kamo.

Gangsta: Cursed Graphic Novel Volume 5 is the final volume of this series.  It is like the rest of the series, but it is the best volume by far.  Perhaps, because this volume is the concluding one, it has clarity of purpose – depicting the costs that the main players pay for their actions.  Kohske and Kamo balance the displays of savagery with the theme of redemption.  Can redemption come to someone who has committed as much savagery as Spas?  This questions permeates every panel of this graphical narrative.

So the impressive fight scenes and explosive actions scenes repeat in Vol. 5.  However, the final volume, with its explorations of forgiveness and revenge, makes the entire series worth reading.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, November 30, 2018

I Reads You Juniors November 2018 - Update #70

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From TripWire:  Here is an video interview of Mike Mignola conducted by TyRuben Ellingson.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics offers discounts on its initial "Ink" and "Zoom" imprint titles.

From BleedingCool:  Brett Warnock, co-founder of Top Shelf Productions, is returning to comic books.  He left Top Shelf after it was bought by IDW Publishing.

From Newsarama:  On December 7th and 8th, 2018, legendary DC Comics writer and editor, Dennis "Denny" O’Neil, will be honored for his “lifetime of achievements in pursuing causes of peace and justice” during an appearance at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.  O'Neil is famous for his social and political work on the title "Green Lantern/Green Arrow."

From Farlaine:  Studio Farlaine is having a "Cyber Monday" sale on the most excellent "Farlaine the Goblin" graphic novels - all 7 books for $25 with free shipping in the United States.

From BleedingCool:  "Credo - The Rose Wilder Lane Story" by Peter Bagge to be published by Drawn & Quarterly in March 2019.

From CBR:  HBO has started dropping teasers for its "Watchmen" TV series.

From Nerdist: Classic manga, "Fruits Basket" being adapted as anime series by Filmation that will be overseen by the creator of the manga, Natsuki Takaya.

From THR:  Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the debut of the character. "Zorro" (in the Aug 1919 issue of "All-Story Weekly").  American Mythology will mark the occasion with a new horror comic book series, "Zorro: Sacrilege."

From IndieWire:  After making an ass out of himself in remarks he made about comic books in the wake of the death of Stan Lee, Bill Maher tries to clarify.

From BleedingCool:  Mark Millar and Simone Bianchi's "Sharkey the Bounty Hunter," a six-issue miniseries, is due to begin in February from Netflix / Image Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Some Mark Millar / Millarworld / Netflix 2019 updates.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will cancel "Sideways," one of its "New Age of DC Heroes," with the issue #13, which is due in February.

From Newsarama:   Marvel Comics has a new line of trade paperback collections under the "Marvel Milestones" banner focused on the X-Men, "X-Men Milestones."

From BleedingCool:  It seems that last weeks of Stan Lee's life were not without trouble.

From PreviewWorlds:  Image Comics announces a second printing for "Bitter Root #1."

From ICv2:  Marvel Comics teases it next epic crossover event, entitled "War of the Realms," which begins in April 2019.

From BleedingCool:  There will be six five issues miniseries spinning out of "Age of X-Man" in February.  This will be done in the style of the 1990s "Age of Apocalypse."

From Forbes:  Recording artist, The Weeknd, sued over his sues of "Starboy" in a comic book collaboration with Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Stan Lee, who died this past Monday, will be honored on the covers of Marvel Comics titles published in December 2018 and January 2019.

From BleedingCool:  February 2019 will see new X-Men comic books.  No word yet on what they will be - ongoing, minis, one-shots?

From Variety:  Hulu is developing a TV series based on George R.R. Martin's book series, "Wild Cards."  Once upon a time, this shared universe series made an appearance in comic books via Marvel's late Epic Comics imprint.

STAN LEE:
MEMORIAM - From TMZ:  TMZ is reporting that Marvel Comics' legendary editor, writer, and creator, Stan Lee, has died at the age of 95, Monday morning, November 12, 2018.

From TCJ:  Fantagraphics Books writes about the recently deceased Stan Lee, "Stan Lee, in Brief."

From BleedingCool:  Everyone reacts to Stan Lee's death.

From NYTimes:  A cartoon obit/memorial for Stan Lee from comic book writer Brian Michael Bendis, drawn by Bill Walko and colored by Howie Noel.

From BleedingCool:  Stan Lee protege Roy Thomas says that Lee was ready to leave this Earth.

From ComicBookBin:  Writer Andy Frisk talks about the time he met Stan Lee in an article from 2012.

From NYPost:  An update on the aftermath of the death of Steve Ditko, who created Spider-Man with Stan Lee and possibly Jack Kirby.

From InformedComment:  Author Juan Cole remembers when Stan Lee showed up at Northwestern University in 1971 to dedicate the university library's collection of comic books, which included Cole's collection.  Lee even wrote and autographed a section of dialogue from a Marvel comic book for Cole.
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From FantagraphicsBooks:  The publisher celebrates Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday with a new comics collection, "Mickey Mouse: The Greatest Adventures.

From BleedingCool:  George R.R. Martin says that he has been struggling with his next "A Song of Fire and Ice" ("Game of Thrones") novel, "Winds of Winters" for years.

From ICv2:  DC Comics will use its "Black Label" imprint to offer reprints of classic prestige and event comic books from the past, like "Watchmen," "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns," and "Kingdom Come" to name a few.

From ICv2:  Marvel is celebrating its 80th anniversary next year.  In February, a series of one-shots will see old Marvel characters return, including "Ziggy Pig" and "Silly Seal" who debuted in Krazy Komics in 1942 from Timely Comics (Marvel's predecessor).

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  John Rogers, the president of the San Diego Comic-Con International, died Saturday, November 10, 2018.

From Newsarama:  Who is Nate Grey and what is "Age of X-Man?"

From Previews:  DC Comics revs up for Brian Michael Bendis' revival of "Young Justice," with artist Patrick Gleason.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics maintains its share lead of the North American direct market - by a lot - for October 2018.

From BorneoBulletin:  Original drawings by manga and anime legend, the late Osamu Tezuka, fetch shockingly high prices.

From TheScottishSun:  A 10-year-old Australian boy is selling his comic book around the world.

From NYTimes:  The original art for "Master Race," one of the most EC Comics stories is up for sale at Heritage Auctions.  Written by the Bill Gains and Al Feldstein and drawn by Bernard Krigstein, "Master Race" is one of the most important stories in the history of American comics.

From BleedingCool:  See Kyle Hotz's five covers for "Man Without Fear."  This miniseries is the post-"Death of Daredevil" comic book that debuts in January 2019.

From Newsarama:  Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover will produce "Wrassle Castle," one of several kid's comics titles from Vault Comics' "Myriad" label.

From Facebook:  David Michelinie and Bret Blevins are working on new issues of their wonderful 1985 series, The Bozz Chronicles, published by Marvel's Epic Comics.

From CBR:  Is The Joker queer, straight, or something else.

From BleedingCool:  Editions Albert Rene would like big name comics artists from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. to contribute to the 60th anniversary book collection for French and Belgium comics character, "Asterix."

From TCJ:  A look at the dramatic stylistic shift of 1980s/90s comic book artist Vince Giarrano.

From BleedingCool:  There is an exhibition of art by Milo Manara, the Italian comic books writer and artist, in Brussles at the Chatelain gallery.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Rob Liefeld addresses the Deadpool/Deathstroke debate... that he started.

From ANN:  Watch 37 Manga Creators Draw Magazine Poster Together in Video

From HNN:  Cullen Bunn is using Kickstarter to fun his horror comics anthology, "A Passage in Black."

From BleedingCool:  The Kentucky Kroger shooter who killed two elderly African-Americans turns out to be a racist comic book fan who often complained on social media about comic book characters of color.  Of course...

From Facebook:  Charles Vess is touring in support of his book collection of "Earthsea" art.

From ICv2:  Chinese investment bank now majority owner of Dark Horse Comics.

From KyodoNews:  "Attack on Titan" manga to become big Hollywood film.

From FiveBooks:  "Five Books" names the five best books on anime and manga.

From Newsarama:  Todd McFarlane talks about his goals for his upcoming "Spawn" movie and a return to drawing the "Spawn" comic book.

From BleedingCool: The creative teams for the anthology comic book, "Merry X-Men Holiday Special," has been announced.  Chris Claremont has written a Kitty Pryde story for the issue.

From ANN:  Manga writer-artist Kohske asks pirates to stop sharing illegal copies of his manga, "Gangsta."


NOVEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From ComicList:  Action Lab for November 2018
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Fantagraphics Books for November 2018
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge solicitations for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics solicitations for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000AD for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2018

DECEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From ComicList:  Action Lab for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama: Aspen Entertainment for December 2018
From BleedingCool: BOOM! Studios for December 2018
From ComicList:  Dark Horse for December 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2018
From ComicList:  IDW Publishing for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2018

JANUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Jan. 2019 
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Papercutz for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Jan. 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Full DC Comics catalog
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for Feb. 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for Feb. 2018


Saturday, October 20, 2018

Review: GANGSTA: Cursed Volume 1

GANGSTA: CURSED, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Kohske
ART: Syuhei Kamo
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Christine Dashiell
LETTERS: Eric Erbes
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9054-7; paperback (December 2016); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

The edgy crime manga, Gangta, has a prequel.  It is entitled Gangsta: Cursed, and it explores the dark and violent past of key characters from Gangsta.  Cursed is written by the creator-writer-artist of Gangsta, Kohske, and is drawn by Syuhei Kamo.

Gangsta: Cursed, Vol. 1 (Chapters 0 to 3) introduces Marco Adriano, when he was young.  Before he was a loyal and beloved member of the Cristiano Family, Marco was “Spas.”  He belonged to the Destroyers Second Group, a five-member squad that hunts and brutally kills “Twilights,” humans born with power and abilities that normal humans do not have.  Marco kills and kills, slaughtering and cutting Twilights as if they were meat, but then, he is confronted by a horrifying truth.

If I understand correctly, the Gangsta: Cursed manga is a spin-off series from the original Gangsta that focuses on the origins and back stories of several of the main characters of the main series.  I like that because the flashbacks are some of the best story lines in Gangsta.  [I'm a sucka for flashbacks in manga, in general.]  Artist Syuhei Kamo does an uncanny impersonation of Kohske's drawing style, so that is so more continuity in this new series' favor.

In terms of the violence, Gangsta: Cursed Graphic Novel Volume 1, the opening salvo, looks and plays out like a regular volume of Gangsta, but with a slight difference.  I don't remember any one volume of Gangsta depicting as much carnage as Gangsta: Cursed Volume 1 does, and the original can be pretty graphic when depicting mayhem.  When I first heard about this manga spin-off prequel, I didn't think that we needed more Gangsta, but the gory horror fan in me does indeed want more Gangsta: Cursed.  I recommend it to Gangsta fans who want to swim in more blood.

B+
7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You'


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Manga Review: GANGSTA Volume 1

GANGSTA, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Kohske
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Katherine Schilling
LETTERING: Eric Erbes
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6077-9; paperback (February 2014); Rated “M” for “Mature”
194pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Kohske is the penname of manga creator, Kohske Koosuke.  Kohske made her manga debut in 2009 with the short story “Postman” in Shonen GanGan magazine.  Her first manga series is Gangsta, which began running in Monthly Comic Bunch in 2011.

Now, Gangsta is VIZ Media’s latest graphic novel series from the VIZ Signature imprint.  Gangsta is set in the city of Ergastulum, a city filled everything from mafia types to petty thieves.  There are crooked cops, and prostitutes are plentiful.  Enter the “Handymen,” 34-year-old Nicolas “Nic” Brown and 35-year-old Worick Arcangelo.  They are the guys who take care of the jobs no one else will handle.

Gangsta, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens with a whore named Alex Benedetto getting her assed kick.  The 24-year-old has not made enough money to please her pimp, but it is about to get worse for Alex.

Police Inspector Chad Adkins has just delivered an assignment to the Handymen, Worick and Nic.  Barry Abbot and his gang are expanding their criminal enterprise into restricted territories, and the mafia bosses want Worick and Nic to kill Barry and every member of his organization.  Alex is part of Barry’s organization.  And Nic and Worick don’t fail.

Later, Nic takes on a man much like himself.  Alex picks up a few more tidbits about Nic from Big Mama Georgiana, madam of the “Pussy” Brothel.

The Gangsta manga is unapologetically violent.  I used to hear people refer to certain movies that were rated “R” by the MPAA as being “hard R.”  Gangsta is a hard R.  The setting, Ergastulum, is a world without mercy, but I don’t want to spoil how Kohske shows that lack of mercy.

I will say that I really like this first volume.  It reminds me of such body-count VIZ Signature titles as Black Lagoon, Dog: Bullets & Carnage, and Jormungand.  All the Gangsta characters, even the “guest stars,” are good, and Kohske sprinkles hints about the mysterious Nic throughout these early chapters that will tempt readers to return for more.  Readers looking for some seinen action will want to go Gangsta.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.