About the Mangaka
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About the Manga
I wasn’t expecting much from this series, something about the name was off putting, and when I saw the cover I just hated it. But oddly I found it growing on me over the course of the volume.
The first time I read this volume I hated it, the cover is ugly, and I found the art inside mediocre to the point I didn’t want to read it anymore. So I went and read Pandora Hearts. When I came back to the second read through I had a different opinion of the volume.
I still hate the cover, but after thinking it over and looking at it a few times I think it’s more the title placement that ruins the cover for me.
The inside art is a bit crap as well, but I have to admit that it has a certain appeal that grows on you as you read through it though.
While it’s hard to judge a series on it’s first volume, this one has some really interesting character designs and characters. Though the art art is never really what I like, and feels a bit cramped and crowded at times.
The various characters introduced this volume have a fairly decent design, though Lamia really doesn’t appeal to me. Several scenes we’re given a close up of her face, and rather than eye lashes she has bushes surrounding her eyes, I really hate that.
Unfortunately the art is also spoiled a bit by overly large SFX’s and then their english version as well. Though I also found the style, pure black and white, with very few shades of grey, also made the art seem more crowded than it was.
Where this volume really got me though was the story, which is refreshingly new and vibrant. Like all the best series it has elements of mystery, suspense and horror. Lamia looks to be where the really fun stuff is going to take place, her character is well developed and really intrigues me.
Irel is also a pretty interesting character, though I found him a bit lacking in the personality department. However I have to admit given that this entire volume is one long set of action, there really wasn’t time for him to develop personality wise.
I have to admit that I now have gone from hating to liking with high expectations for this series.
Something about the story, really has it’s hooks on me. Various stories over the years have used the crucifixion and holy grail in various ways, but I think this is the first time I’ve seen it set up in this manner. I’m always game for a new take on an old setting 
I loved the high paced action, and the way the stage was set with the three opposing sides. Though I can see this being reduced to two next volume. The thing that really surprised me however was that I fell in love with the characters straight away.
Lamia has the whole mystery aspect going one, and while her origins are revealed this volume, it’s from a highly suspicious source making it most likely a lie. I cant wait to see how she develops and to how she really came about.
Clarion is another character that has my curiosity, I wasn’t keen on her initially, but towards the end of the volume she gains that special spark that makes characters unique, and makes the reader feel for them.
Irel, the other main lead is interesting for another reason. He’s supposedly a student working with his professor researching the Holy Grail and the myth of the Blood of Jesus. Yet he seems to be a lot more, rather than a simple student I got the impression he was a modern-day Indiana Jones. He’s another character I’m looking forward to see how he develops, and to learning more about how he came to be the way he is.
I would love to say Yen Press did a perfect job on this title, but I can’t. I can’t stand the cover, and it’s that titles fault. It’s a horrid colour and overpowers the image, which in all fairness is pretty damn good. If they’d made the title as small as it was on the insert art the cover would have been great.
That said, there was next to no guttering in this volume, which surprised me. Also the translation was good as always, with a nice flow and consistency. The editing was okay, and easy to read and follow.
Overall it was a pretty decent start to a series and one I’m really interested in seeing how it goes. I’m eagerly looking forward to volume two.
A quick warning, this volume does contain some rather graphic violence, as well as cannibalism. Which is why it has an Oder Teen rating (16+). While I personally didn’t find either aspect over the top or overly used, be warned they are in there, and will probably be a recurring factor. Especially the cannibalism, which I found to be more creepy than anything TBH.
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