4.0 out of 5 stars
This was Better than the 1st Volume, October 19, 2011
This review is from: Zombiepowder, Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)
The first volume was lacking a story, it was fight fight fight and fight some more. This one introduced a new character and has a more complex story than the first one. There is still fighting, but it doesn't cover over half the pages in the book. There is also a lot more humor in this volume. Gamma and wolfina have a relationship similar to Ichigo and Rukia (Characters in Bleach). This volume has more drama to, what with wolfina trying to save her brother. Overall, I think this is an improvement to the first volume. There was however a random side store at the end that didn't make a whole lot of sense, but it was interesting.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read, April 11, 2011
This review is from: Zombiepowder, Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)
Gamma is an S-Class criminal on the hunt for the legendary 12 Rings of the Dead, that when put together will make Zombie Powder, a substance made of pure life force which can bring the dead to life, or give the living immortality. This volume puts Gamma's sidekicks Elwood and Smith aside as Gamma gets caught up in the drama of the little town they've come to. It's here that he meets Wolfina, a young reporter/vigilante who guards not just the town, and especially the local hospital besieged with attacks from ring hunters, but her brother who is comatose inside, the victim of unprotected contact with one of the legendary rings.
In this volume we meet yet another great character who brings to the table new, disturbing information about the risk of ring hunting (other than the competition). The same pattern emerges, there are equal parts sketchy fight scenes and plot moving scenes. The confusing nature of the fight scenes could very well be implied heavy movement, but in still ink rather than animated form it comes off poorly. It's not difficult at the "pause" scenes to figure out what has happened, but having to in the first place will turn off some readers. The plot is quite enjoyable, with a real western flavor set into a background where feudal Japan has been replaced by all the wild gang types that one would expect from a manga. Recommended as part of public collections including manga, especially for it's cleaner nature. (Teen age range)
Contains: Implied rape, torture and other criminal activity, cartoon gore
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4.0 out of 5 stars
The power of the Rings, January 11, 2009
This review is from: Zombiepowder, Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)
This is a Tite Kubo manga, so it's not exactly surprising that there's at least one woman with impossibly big breasts.
But the second volume of the short-lived "Zombie Powder" has more than just a gutsy girl journalist in store -- it also reveals the true ghastly power of the Rings of the Dead, and unveils a new villain who's even rottener than the last. And through it all, Kubo fills the story with plenty of action, humor, and little spurts of horror.
Gamma, Elwood and Smith barely escape the exploding bandits' lair, courtesy of Smith's self-destruct device ("Don't measure the explosives by EYE!"). Soon they encounter Robin-Hoodlike journalist Wolfina, who has devoted her life and skills to destroying criminals and their organizations. Gamma saves her from an assassin, but she has a very odd reaction when he asks about the Rings.
Then the evil Balmunk the Mystic tries to take over a nearby hospital -- and after driving him off, Gamma reveals the true, horrific nature of the Rings. Turns out that one of them made their way into Wolfina's younger brother -- and now Balmunk is determined to get it out of him. And he isn't too concerned how it's done.
The biggest shocker in "Zombie Powder Volume 2" concerns the Rings of the Dead -- turns out they're evil little life-sucking monstrosities that sprout fat tentacular arms. It's symptomatic of the darker, slightly more nightmarish tone of this volume, compared to the straightforward bloody violence of the first.
But Kubo's style is still very much here -- lots of cocky characters getting into loud fights, long lanky bodies, over-the-top fights, punching and Gamma's fiery black sword techniques. But in this story, he starts weaving in more sinister overtones -- such as Balmunk's sadistic offer to let Wolfina lovingly take care of Emilio's headless body.
And he adds in some nicely creepy stuff, like the tentacle-hands and the bloodthirsty circus. But Kubo doesn't forget to lighten stuff up with some funny moments, such as Gamma going berserk at an assassin for knocking stuff off a bureau, or at Smith for building his own massive bombs ("DON'T MEASURE THE TIMER USING A SODA CAN!").
Wolfina makes a good addition to the cast -- she's strong, independent, gutsy and definitely no damsel. And Kubo does a great job building her character quickly, complete with bloodstained flashbacks. Smith and Elwood take a backseat in this volume, so that the increasingly quirky, increasingly powerful Gamma can gain Wolfina's trust. If she doesn't bludgeon him to death with her tripod of justice, that is.
This volume also has Kubo's first story, "Ultra Unholy Hearted Machine." It's about a man's personal and professional vendetta against a massive drug cartel, accompanied by a perky robot called Tinatina. It's an impressive piece of work considering that Kubo wrote it when he was eighteen, with nicely gritty action and some brilliant use of flashbacks -- though it's lacking his distinctive strong, angular faces.
The second volume of "Zombie Powder" expands the sci-fi/western style into mild horror, and introduces a nicely horrible villain. Too bad there's so little left to come.
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