Graphic Novel Review – Claws of Darkness: Journal of Vampire Hunter D Volume 4

Journal of the Vampire Hunter D Claws of Darkness: Volume 4

 

Author and Illustrator: Jerry Cho
Based on the Novel by: Jozev
Published by: DrMaster
Genre: Seinen, Action, Supernatural

Reviewed by Julie Gray

The presentation of the Claws of Darkness series of graphic novels really has to be taken into consideration. We haven’t talked about the covers before but since this is the fourth book in the series so far, we thought it was warranted. The covers are extremely colourful and very well drawn. Nicholas Bane (D) looks beautiful and ominous all at once and the colour scheme seems to fit each cover just nicely. The covers would definitely gain a person’s attention merely for the presentation alone.

Volume four in the series begins with Nicholas Bane striking a deal with the evil and manipulative Carlos Gino. One can only sense that nothing good is going to come of anything remotely related to Carlos, even if D is involved. As it turns out, Carlos is hiring D to hunt down the ‘Beast’ that is terrorising Santa Anna. An interesting twist in the story, we’re hooked in, once again.

Dialogue is slowly improving between the characters and with Anna out of the way, we’re glad to say that the storyline is now taking on a more meaningful direction rather than wallowing in the undertones of a romantic liaison between the lead characters in the story. That’s not to say that it couldn’t have worked, more like it really didn’t suit this type of storyline. We want guts and gore and blood which are eons away from romance and anything remotely romantically inclined. And this gory, blood-chilling evil is way more interesting than two characters getting it on in a backwater desert town.

So what is Carlos up to? It’s nice to see this character developing. It seems like Carlos is starting to show some of that truly black heart of his and it looks like he will be shaping up to be more of a problem for D than we initially thought. And that of course, is simply divine. We seem to think that D isn’t being challenged enough in this story so the more problems for D, the better. After all, he is the hero. And that’s exactly what we want to see. With more blood, of course! As an example, chapter 8 is titled ‘Banquet of Blood’. We simply can’t get enough of the blood.

And we’re more than happy to admit that there doesn’t seem to be a lack of blood, evil and mayhem in Santa Anna. The pages look like they’re almost written in blood! Again, the emphasis of colour is so important for this story to have meaning and the use of colour is done with absolute finesse.

Everything seems to be coming together in the fourth volume in the series. The story has a much more interesting direction now and the characters are shaping up to be better than originally expected which is also good. As long as this pace is maintained throughout the series, Claws of Darkness may prove to be one of the better graphic novels in the Vampire Hunter D franchise. And with the introduction of a new evil and mysterious character to keep the blood pumping, we can’t wait to sink our fangs into the next volume.

Published link to come.

Graphic Novel Review – Claws of Darkness: Journal of Vampire Hunter D Volume 3

This is the third book in the series. I actually started reviewing the series with volume two.

Claws of Darkness: Journal of the Vampire Hunter D Volume 3

Author and Illustrator: Jerry Cho
Based on the Novel by: Jozev
Published by: DrMaster
Genre: Seinen, Action, Supernatural

Reviewed by Julie Gray
Review originally published June 19, 2006

Volume 3 in the series begins with Father Gerardo who is recording incidents into a journal relating to the dark history of Santa Anna. This gives the readers a better idea of the historical consequences of past deeds and how they have impacted and shaped the characters. The history of Gino Carlos plays a particularly important part in the story. It is now easier to link the characters together. The story finally begins to unfold and make sense.

Although Nicholas Bane’s character really acts as a catalyst by bringing the past of Santa Anna to the present, he seems to be completely unaware of this. His supernatural ‘charm’ has its effect on many of the town’s inhabitants. Anna is particularly vulnerable and whilst the chemistry between D and Anna appears to be subtle, the dialogue is a little tacky and doesn’t really do much for the story. The author probably thought the same thing and decided not to progress with a full blown romance between the two.

The third volume does bring to light a few things that were otherwise a little hazy in the first two volumes. The characters are slowly starting to form in our minds a little more. The darker aspects surrounding some of the characters begin to surface and we’re able to understand what it is that has drawn D to such a place.

Although the storyline is a tad on the translucent side, the characters seem to do the story justice. D’s character is quickly placed in the background as we discover the dark secrets hidden in the minds and hearts of the people of Santa Anna. The author is good at portraying this and it is really the only saving grace at this stage in the series.

Again, the standard of the artwork is great; carrying on from the previous two volumes to support the story’s dark and sometimes violent plot. Certain colours are used with a great deal of emphasis to heighten the emotions that the author is trying to convey; there is a lot of black and red used in many of the darker, violent scenes.

It is good to see that the characters are becoming a little more interesting although the dialogue still appears to be the one weakness in this series. It will be interesting to see how D manages to deal with the evil that has manifested in this town and how his presence will impact the outcome of the story.

You can view the original published article here.

Graphic Novel Review – Journal of the Vampire Hunter: Claws of Darkness Volume 2

This was one of the first graphic novels that I reviewed for Manganews. I am now the Vampire Hunter D ‘reviewer’ and I have been lucky enough to be able to review the entire series to date. I am also currently reviewing the Dr Master books series ’Vampire Hunter D’ which are an excellent to read. That series of book reviews will also be posted here in the near future.

 

Journal of the Vampire Hunter D: Volume 2

Author and Illustrator: Jerry Cho
Based on the Novel by: Jozev
Published by: Dr Master
Genre: Seinen, Action, Supernatural

Reviewed by Julie Gray
Review originally published June 19, 2006

This volume begins at chapter three. The continuation of the story finds our Hero (or is that Anti-Hero) Nicholas Bane (‘D’) in the midst of some bad dealings in the town of Santa Anna, Mexico. A town with a dark past, Bane is inadvertently injured whilst trying to uncover some of Santa Anna’s dark secrets. Anna, the local bar maid who has befriended Bane, somehow seems to tie in with everything going on, but Bane struggles to find out how she is linked. The rest of the story uncovers the link between Anna and her Mother, and also exposes us to several other main characters in the plot; Carlos, the major drug trafficker in the area, Father Gerardo, the local priest and Jubile, Anna’s fiancé.

The structure of the comic is good. Taking into consideration that the comic is written as a journal makes it easier to understand how the story flicks from past to present and back. The chapters are clearly outlined, making it easier to read and follow the story.

The artwork in this volume is as impressive as the first. The smooth textures of the character animation look wonderful. The character detail is also impeccable making the characters believable and giving the story depth and impact. With the content of this comic bordering on ultra-violent (nudity, lots of gore and rape scenes), the artwork compliments the storyline. Visually, this comic is extremely well done.

The character interaction is perhaps a little too obvious. A dark, handsome stranger comes into town and instantly befriends the lonely bar maid. What could possibly happen next? Whilst the character interaction may seem a little predictable, everything has its place in the story that unfolds. The predictability of the storyline really doesn’t eventuate as one would expect, which is a nice surprise. Dialogue between the characters seems to flow well although Bane is a man of few words.

Overall, the storyline is dark and gritty, not for the faint-hearted. Nicholas Bane continues his journey of revenge and discovery in Mexico and uncovers darkness in every corner. In a unique twist of irony, Bane, touched by darkness himself, turns out to be the only glimmer of hope in this god-forsaken town. The story continues in ‘Journal of Vampire Hunter D: Volume Three’.

You can view the original published article here.