Legend Of The Scarlet Blades

ReviewsJun14 TagshardcoverhumanoidsReviewTenutaRelated PostsHumanoids? Who?Day Of The MagiciansBatman Arkham City #2Hard PremiumShare This Posted by Scott VanderPloeg on Jun 14, 2011 in Reviews | 1 comment

Humanoids week continues on Comic Book Daily: today we’re looking at by Saverio Tenuta.  Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

Cartoonist Saverio Tenuta writes and paints a twisted tale of a masterless Samurai named Raido searching for clues to his bloody past in a feudal Japan ruled by spirits and beasts. Highly recommended for fans of Samura’s BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, Koike/Kojima’s LONE WOLF & CUB, and HEAVY METAL magazine.

 

I don’t read a lot of manga so Humanoids recommendation had little effect on me.  Tenuta has crafted a wonderful Japanese samurai myth tale that keeps one interested.  Like all great stories we have a down and out hero, varied love interests, revenge, hope and despair.  Wrapped around that is the world of mythological feudal Japan, presenting that sparkle to the story.

The characters and dialogue were engrossing and well-developed.  Any translated work loses some nuance but the dialogue flowed smoothly.

What makes this a standout graphic novel is the stunning art, painted by Tenuta.  Every page jumps out at you with its bold use of colour.  Again the myth or magical elements allow for fantastical characters; unique and captivating.  It’s a joy to turn the page and see what lies ahead.  The art feels to me very Asian: it suits the story perfectly and entices those of us who don’t read manga.

This is a solid value at $30: a 192 page 7.75 x 10.5″ hardcover.  For extras we have the four covers from the French issues, which are very nice.  It’s a well-developed and engaging tale that allows for return reading.

Humanoids, 2011, ISBN 978-1-59465-020-8

Scott VanderPloeg works in I.T. but lives to eat and read. His ramblings can be found blogged at eBabble.Share this:ShareRedditEmail 1 Comment Jun14Brent Chittenden

Thanks for the review Scott, I’ve been thinking of picking this up myself.
 

Reply Leave a Comment Click here to cancel reply.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

XHTML: You can use these tags:

-->

RecentPopularRandomComic Culture June 15th 2011Posted by Walter Durajlija on Jun 15, 2011Grant Morrison Gives His Perspective on the DC Comics RebootPosted by Peter DeCourcy on Jun 15, 2011Humanoids? Who?Posted by Scott VanderPloeg on Jun 15, 2011Fear Itself: Deadpool #1Posted by Andrew Ardizzi on Jun 14, 2011Posted by Scott VanderPloeg on Jun 14, 2011 Ultimate Blog Party GiveawayPosted by Comic Book Daily Staff on Apr 1, 2011WHOSOEVER HOLDS THIS HAMMER: Do Comic Conventions Cost Too Much?Posted by Anthony Falcone on Apr 19, 2011ARRRGH!! | Newspaper ComicsPosted by Chris Owen on Apr 21, 2011Jiminy Christmas! | Stance on ScansPosted by Scott VanderPloeg on Mar 2, 2011Diary of a Comic Book Goddess :: “I’m not a racist, BUT…”Posted by Shelley Smarz on Mar 8, 2011 WHOSOEVER HOLDS THIS HAMMER: Christmas FunPosted by Anthony Falcone on Dec 14, 2010DC to stop shrink wrapping “most” hardcoversPosted by Comic Book Daily Staff on Sep 15, 2010Bound Together | Longmeadow Press DC CollectionsPosted by Scott VanderPloeg on Jul 22, 2010Antony Johnston: Co-Writes Without FearPosted by Comic Book Daily Staff on Nov 23, 2009Just A Thought: Brent Talks Rocketeer and The BTAS BiblePosted by Comic Book Daily Staff on Dec 24, 2009 Sponsors
Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by Wordpress

Send to Email AddressYour NameYour Email AddressCancelPost was not sent - check your email addresses!Email check failed, please try againSorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.