#IReadsYou Review: GREY: Chapter 6

GREY. CHAPTER 6
THE GREY ROOM

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
COVER: Annie Chrome
36pp, B&W, $10.00 U.S. (print), $5.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Age Rating: 15+ Only

Chapter 6: The H Word

Grey is an independent comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado.  Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga.  Grey is similar to what was once called “OEL manga” or “original English language” manga.  These were American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese manga (comics).

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.”  This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.  Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  The members of this team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  These agents are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).

The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer.  Belisia Asuhara, Samara's sister, is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.

Grey Chapter 6 opens as Samara, Kouken, and Shuyin enter “the Sea of Trees” in their search for the kidnapped Asuka Yagyu.  This place is the subject of numerous urban legends, including tales of people committing suicide after the trees force them to relive their biggest regrets.

Once she is separated from Kouken and Shuyin, Samara finds the sea takes a toll on her.  She begins to relive her life before Nimbus.  Samara recalls her time with a friend and with the friend's brother who becomes her lover.  And Samara also realizes why she isn't a “hero,” so how will this affect the current rescue mission?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Grey Room has released the first trade paperback collection of Grey, entitled Grey: Volume 1.  This TPB reprints Grey Chapters 1 to 5, as well as, Chapter 3.5: Astrid and Chapter 4.5: The Right Thing, both “special release chapters.”  I think this collection is the best way to read the series up to that point, as it will reinforce to readers how conceptually well-developed Grey is.

Meanwhile, Grey. Chapter 6 is available to readers.  As I have previously written, when readers start from the beginning, they discover that the world in which Grey is set has a complex history.  Readers get to watch the authors build a world in front of them and also to experience some other elements of the series, such as its engaging mysteries and sense of discovery.

In addition to the complex nature of the narrative, Grey also offers strong characters – lead and supporting – as can be seen in Grey Chapter 6.  While ostensibly about a rescue, Chapter 6 is a deeply intimate portrait of the character, Samara Asuhara.  Writer Kris Hornett does this by examining Samara's actions in the past, which are quite shocking and illuminating.  I give Hornett credit for his willingness to give his characters an edginess, a merger of the light and the dark which creates a … gray area to be explored.

Hornett does not treat his characters as if they were delicate pastries with multiple layers of tastiness.  Grey characters are crunchy with complex flavors and who knows what the aftertaste will be.  Grey is not a world of plush figures.  If the characters had to be toys, they would have sharp edges and come with warning labels on the packaging.

In Grey Chapter 6, Ardee Arollado's art, which becomes more polished with each chapter, captures the surreal nature of the flashback as well as its melodrama of deadly machinations.  His page design, with its large panels and expressive faces, conveys power to the reader, giving Chapter 6 a hypnotic quality.

So, once again I heartily recommend Grey to you, dear readers.  With a first trade paperback and the newly released Grey Chapter 6, this is a good time to come on in.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books and of good science fiction comic books will want to read Grey.

A

8 out of 10

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


Digital issues of Grey can be found at comiXology: https://www.comixology.com/Grey/comics-publisher/20880-0.  Readers can also purchase all issues of the series and the new first trade collection, Grey: Volume 1 at https://thegreyroom.org/.

https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
Kris Hornett: https://twitter.com/Hornett_
Lisa Taylor: https://twitter.com/Persuasion513
https://www.instagram.com/kero.beroz/?hl=en


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

--------------

#IReadsYou Review: GREY. CHAPTER 5

GREY. CHAPTER 5
THE GREY ROOM

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
COVER: Nicholas Sen
36pp, B&W, $10.00 U.S. (print), $5.99 U.S. (March 2021)

Age Rating: 15+ Only

Chapter 5: Living Portraits

Grey is an independent comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado.  Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga.  Grey is similar to what was once called “OEL manga” or “original English language” manga.  These were American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese manga (comics).

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.”  This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.  Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  The members of this team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  These agents are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).

The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer.  Belisia Asuhara, Samara's sister, is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.

Grey Chapter 5 opens in the home of Asuna and Yuta Yagyu – recently murdered.  It is, however, an unusual death, as they have been posed in a process involving prana.  Now, they are “living portraits,” and it is up to Saya Yagyu – the Shriker of Malta – to discover who killed members of her family.  Meanwhile, the killer has absconded with her niece, Asuka, Asuna and Yuta's daughter.

The agents of Nimbus have joined her in the investigation, and Samara has seen “living portraits” in her past.  In fact, Samara knows who the killer is, and she and Shuyin prepare to lead the mission to bring in the killer.  Not everyone is happy with that plan, though.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Grey Room is about to release the first trade paperback collection of Grey, entitled Grey: Volume 1.  This TPB will reprint Grey Chapters 1 to 5, as well as, Chapter 3.5: Astrid and Chapter 4.5: The Right Thing, both “special release chapters.”  I think this collection will be the best way to read the series, as it will reinforce to readers how conceptually well-developed Grey is.

As I have previously written, when readers start from the beginning, they discover that the world in which Grey is set has a complex history.  Readers get to watch the authors build a world in front of them and also to experience some other elements of the series, such as its engaging mysteries and sense of discovery.

The one thing I do want to emphasize, which Grey Chapter 5 also emphasizes, is the strength of the characters in this series.  First, each character is independent in the sense that he or she has his or her own motivations, desires, and goals.  Hornett presents characters that are not beholding to other characters for their worth.  Certainly, one character can affect another via the action, but it is good that supporting characters and cameo players don't feel like mere window dressing in the dramas of Grey's most important characters.

The best example of that takes place in the second half of Chapter 5, which I want to be careful not to spoil.  Hornett has the Nimbus characters and investigators confront one another about various issues regarding the murder investigations.  Hornett does not depict any characters as “backing down,” which makes them all appear important.  Readers are welcomed to pick a favorite character or even assume a character is the lead, but like Japanese manga, this American manga respects the idea of an ensemble cast with many quality characters.

Ardee Arollado's art, which gets more powerful with each chapter, conveys this in the way he composes the characters.  Sometimes, his art and storytelling seem like impartial observers, presenting the drama in large-size panels, capturing a stage in which each character has the power to affect the drama.

So after praising the characters, I have to heartily recommend Grey to you, dear readers.  And with this new trade paperback, you can still get in on Grey's intriguing ground floor.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books and of good science fiction comic books will want to read Grey.

[This comic book includes three pages of additional informative text pieces.]

A

9 out of 10

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


Grey #5 and all issues of the series can be read at comiXology.  Readers can also purchase all issues of the series and the new first trade collection, Grey: Volume 1 here or at https://thegreyroom.org/.

https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
Kris Hornett: https://twitter.com/Hornett_
Lisa Taylor: https://twitter.com/Persuasion513
https://www.instagram.com/kero.beroz/?hl=en


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------

#IReadsYou Review: GREY Chapter 4

GREY. CHAPTER 4
THE GREY ROOM

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
COVER: Nicholas Sen
28pp, B&W, $10.00 (November 2020)

Act 2. Chapter 4

Grey is an independent comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado.  Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga.  Grey is similar to what was once called “OEL manga” or “original English language” manga.  These were American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese manga (comics).

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.”  This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.  Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  This team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  The agents of Nimbus are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).

The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer.  Belisia Asuhara is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.

Grey. Chapter 4. opens in a hospital as 13-year-old Asuka Yagyu faces questions, but she only wants to speak to one particular person.  Meanwhile, Shuyin and August try to find normalcy in their lives, but Shuyin's mind and memories keep playing tricks on him.  Elsewhere, Belisia, Kale, and Kouken, continue their deep dive into the past of Willow Marius in order to uncover her accomplices and to unravel the larger mystery that surrounds her.

THE LOWDOWN:  Grey continues to prove how conceptually well-developed it is.  From the beginning, readers discover that the world in which Grey is set has a complex history.  As readers, we get to watch the authors build a world in front of us.  The other exciting element is that Grey is full of mystery, so the readers can always enjoy the sense of discovery.

Grey Chapter 4 sees the characters trying to unravel the mystery that is Willow Marius, and I see her as something of a gift.  Each time I read Grey, I want to know more about her, which I can also say about many of the characters in this series.  Still, she is the beautiful enigma that is driving the unknown in this series – at least, so far.

Each issue, Kris Hornett takes time to give us a view of multiple characters.  I think that makes readers curious about the other characters, and I know that it makes me want to read the next issue as soon as possible.  Meanwhile, Ardee Arollado's art gets stronger; he brings more subtlety and delicacy to the characters' personalities.  Now, Arollado's graphical storytelling engages the reader to give more consideration to the characters' motivations and goals; ignore nothing in this storytelling.

I heartily recommend Grey, and there is still time for you, dear readers, to get in on Grey's intriguing ground floor.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books and of good science fiction comic books will want to read Grey.

[This comic book includes two pages of additional informative text pieces.]

8 out of 10

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


Get Grey at comiXology or here: https://www.comixology.com/Grey/comics-publisher/20880-0

https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
https://twitter.com/Hornett_
https://www.instagram.com/kero.beroz/?hl=en


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: GREY Chapter 3

GREY. CHAPTER 3
THE GREY ROOM

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
28pp, B&W, $10.00 (September 2020)

Chapter 3 “Deja Vu”

Grey is a recently-launched. independently published comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado.  Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga.  Grey is similar to what was once called “OEL manga” or “original English language” manga.  These were American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese manga (comics).

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.”  This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.  Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  This team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  The agents of Nimbus are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).

The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer.  Belisia Asuhara is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.

As Grey. Chapter 3. (“Deja Vu”) opens,  Shuyin visits with his mother, who has telepathic abilities.  Through her, Shuyin gets to play with his memories and experiences with Willow, the young woman from his past who is connected to the Bureau's current case.

Elsewhere, agents Samara and Kouken visit Kale Schaefer to discuss the mysterious “okami mask,” its notorious past and its connection to Kale's past.  Later, Samara and Kouken may be unaware of the danger near them.  Have they walked into a trap?

THE LOWDOWN:  Grey is conceptually well-developed, and the world in which it is set has a complex history.  The authors are simultaneously building a world and unwrapping a science fiction dramatic narrative.

Grey Chapter 3 first takes a deep dive into Shuyin's mind.  I find Shuyin's interior world:  memories, dreams, thoughts, etc. to be an engaging way to delve into the character and into everything that is going on around him – past, present, and future.  As much as I like Grey's other characters, I feel as if I never get enough of him, but it is good that Hornett and Arollado have their lead emerge as a star character so early in the series.

Meanwhile, Hornett takes time to take us to some other characters, and as I wrote in a previous review, all the characters are interesting in some way.  They make the world of Grey an exciting place for readers to be, and Hornett always leaves me wanting more.  Twenty-five pages of story is a lot these days, but 50 pages per issue of Grey would not be enough.  It is still early enough to get in on the ground floor of this exciting American manga, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books will want to read Grey.

[This comic book includes two pages of additional informative text pieces.]

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
https://twitter.com/Hornett_
https://www.instagram.com/kero.beroz/?hl=en


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------

#IReadsYou Review: GREY Chapter 2

GREY. CHAPTER 2
THE GREY ROOM

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
COVER: InHyuk Lee
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
28pp, B&W, $10.00 (August 2020)

Chapter 2 “Nimbus”

Grey is a recently-launched. independently published comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado.  Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga.  Grey is similar to OEL manga or “original English language” manga, American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics, styles, attitudes, genres, graphics, pacing, etc. of Japanese manga (comics).

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.”  This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.  Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  This team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  The agents of Nimbus are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).

The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer.  Belisia Asuhara is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.

As Grey. Chapter 2. (“Nimbus”) opens, the media confronts Renee Dubois, the commissioner of the Bureau, about recent events.  There was the shocking murder at the International Fashion Fest (IFF).  There was an invasion of Bureau headquarters in which nine agents were killed.  The Bureau's evidence room was also infiltrated and an “okami mask,” with a notorious past was stolen.  Belisia Asuhara is pushing her agents of Nimbus to get involved in this case because everything about it is abnormal and beyond the scope of ordinary Bureau agents.

Meanwhile, Samara does some pushing of her own.  She wants Shuyin to accept that Willow, a woman from his past, is connected to their case, but Shuyin really has no idea what Willow is doing.  But first, Shuyin receives a special visitor.

THE LOWDOWN:  As I wrote in my review of the first issue:  Grey is not one of those comic books that you read and toss in the already-read-pile before moving on to the next comic book.  Grey is conceptually well-developed, and the world in which it is set has a complex history.

Grey Chapter 2 begins the deep dive into the narrative, after Chapter 1's teasing nature, in which the creative team of Kris Hornett and Ardee Arollado teased readers through the door and into the world of Grey.  In Grey Chapter 2, Hornett seems to be establishing the independence and the individuality of the characters.  Even the bit players, some of whom might be captives for all I know, come across as persons with their own lives outside of game of which they are part.

Part of that also comes from Arollado's strong art and graphical storytelling.  No character really looks like another.  It is as if Arollado actually approaches each new figure to draw as a new character.  He or she may be a face in the crowd, but it is HIS or HER face in the crowd and it belongs to no one else.  There are no filler characters; instead, there are players with potential.

I think the strongest element in Grey are the characters.  Each and every one has his or her own motivation, and motivation can be a dangerous thing.  Danger is good for drama.  So let's come back for more Grey.  By the way, Grey Chapter 2 has a beautiful cover drawn by Marvel Comics cover artist InHyuk Lee... which would make a gorgeous poster.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books will want to read Grey.

[This comic book includes additional informative text pieces.]

8 out of 10

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


https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
https://twitter.com/Hornett_


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

---------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: GREY CHAPTER 1

GREY. CHAPTER 1.
THE GREY ROOM

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Kero Beroz
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
32pp, B&W, $10.00 (July 2020)

Chapter 1 “Hello Winter”

Grey is a new independently published comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Kero Beroz.  Published by The Grey Room, the series saw its debut issue, Grey. Chapter 1., just recently published.  Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga aesthetics.  Grey is also similar to what was once called OEL manga or “original English language” manga, a genre associated with publisher, TOKYOPOP.

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago).  The story takes place an indeterminate time after the occurrence of an event known as “the Sonoma Incident,” which was the outbreak of a lethal virus on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands.  The outbreak left the island in chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.

Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  This is a team of five agents who are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  The agents of Nimbus are also apparently able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).  One of the agents is 20-year-old Shuyin Hagamuri.

As Grey. Chapter 1 (“Hello Winter”) opens, Shuyin is attending the International Fashion Fest (IFF).  After one of the models is attacked, Shuyin receives an unusual warning.  Shortly afterwards, Shuyin in investigating an invasion of Bureau headquarters when he learns that, yes, the shadows of his past have resurfaced.  And they are portending disaster.

THE LOWDOWN:  Grey is not one of those comic books that you read and toss in the already-read-pile before moving on to the next comic book.  Grey is a shockingly well-developed concept and exists in world with a complex history that seems (at least to me) to permeate every panel of the story.

Grey. Chapter 1 teases the readers and offers them a hint at what is to comic, but the story is not hard to follow, as the creators focus much of the action through Shuyin Hagamuri.  Shuyin seems to be one of those steadfast protagonists.  He also seems more of a fidelity-to-vocation professional and less like one of those relentless law dog types.  But, as it is very early in the overall narrative, I certainly am assuming a lot.

I like the art and graphical storytelling, which is composed of big panels, but is intimate instead of being widescreen and epic.  The illustrations are in black and white, but the story has a color vibe.  Or maybe what I am feeling is vibrancy of the story.  I like the matter-of-fact lettering, which is not polished, but is also not obtrusive.

I am curious about Grey, and I want to recommend that readers looking to support independent and DIY comics buy this first issue (which you can do at the publisher's website).  Some of this first chapter is unpolished, and this is obviously because the creators are still feeling their way around the narrative.  Regardless, Grey has the potential to offer a lot of surprises if the creators can keep it going... which involves money... which is where your support comes into play...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books will want to try Grey. Chapter 1.

[This comic book includes additional informative text and also includes a map of Ketiyama.]

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

https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
https://twitter.com/Hornett_


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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