Kabuki Library Volume 1 by David W. Mack

1 about? In Circle of Blood, the story introduces us to an alternate neo-future Japan. Mack, an afterword by comics legend Jim Steranko, and a commentary by Takashi Hattori. With a Sony television series currently in the making, this brand-new 25th-anniversary reprint collects the first two complete volumes of the beloved series (Circle of Blood and Dreams), a prologue by creator Brian Michael Bendis, additional notes and cover art from the creator David W. Amongst all the artists in the modern industry today, there is one that has managed to distinguish himself through a unique artistic style: David W. It allows them to express the intangible through a visual medium that is open to interpretation whilst cleverly depending on the viewer's ability to become one with themselves and their emotions. You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.Īrt is a gateway into the mind of a creator. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned. Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. Really the only reason to get this is to flip through the pretty pictures. Mack switches to full color for this volume, using mixed media like photos on some pages and on others his first fully painted pages. The text is often drawn into the art making it difficult to even find much less read. What story there is, is a bit of an incoherent mess.

This is a surreal dream taking place as Kabuki is bleeding out on her mother's grave at the end of Circle of Blood. But given this was originally published at a now defunct comic company, Caliber Press, that's not surprising.ĭreams: Mack throws us a curveball after Circle of Blood. The transfers aren't the best, especially the text when it's white lettering on a black background, it can be difficult to read. In that respect it's influenced by the early Vertigo comic writers.

Most pages are intended as full art pieces with poetic language used as narration. At times, it feels it does want to be The Crow but I like how you can see the art evolve with each issue. It looks gorgeous but is difficult to read and comprehend.Ĭircle of Blood: For an indie comic written 25 years ago, this holds up remarkably well. Dreams is in full color, experimental and surreal, using mixed media and painted art. Circle of Blood tells a complete story drawn in black and white. The first 2 volumes collected within are in direct juxtaposition to one another. The story can be a bit obtuse in places but I didn't find it hard to follow.

As a warning, there is a LOT of violence towards women and children. The story is about a team of female assassins working for a shadowy Japanese government group that takes out criminals.

Kabuki Library Volume 1 by David W. Mack