Comic Review: BlueSpear Volume 1
Even if you haven’t read Forty-Five this book is very reader friendly and an exciting jump into something new.
Back in 2010 Com.X released a rather unique original graphic novel titled Forty-Five. This book consisted of 45 fictional interviews, which were each accompanied by a splash page depicting an element of that superheroes life. BlueSpear (aka: Yuji) was the focus of one interviews and was discussed by the characters brother Akira, the man responsible for Yuji obtaining powers.
Writers Andi Ewington & Eddie Deighton, with artist Cosmo White, have decided to continue the story of BlueSpear in his own graphic novel. To the books credit even if you havent read Forty-Five this story and its world is pretty approachable. It includes the original character interview and splash page to ease new readers in and stands as an effective prologue. The story continues the elements established in Forty-Five and runs with it. BlueSpear is active throughout Osaka, Japan and has started to draw more attention to himself, the shadowy corporation seen in Forty-Five that call themselves XoDOS is back and on the hunt for BlueSpear, along with the help from the Yakuza. I feel a lot of empathy for Akira & Yuji, the initial set up is an effective springboard to get me invested in this world and the importance of our heros origin. Its also nice to see a continuation of the shadowy XoDOS Corporation. Even though they are still masked in shadow and mystery, its nice to get a closer look at our villain, however brief it may be.
Cosmo Whites artworks and colouring is without a doubt one of the best parts of the book, the strong neon colour pallet and stylised characters help emphasise the books Japanese setting very well. Even with the odd expression or stiff position from a character, the colour work makes the world so immersive that you cant help but get sucked in.
This book is not a contained story, instead it is the first part of an episodic series (supposedly a trilogy of books) so the page count is smaller than a normal paperback (think Alan Moores recent The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century series), the books content totals to 43 pages of story and a 14 page art gallery and it does go by quickly. Its a shame the core story is shorter than expected as I felt the book had ended at a point where things were just starting to move forward, its a shame but not one that will stop me picking up further volumes.
BlueSpear was a brave and valiant attempt at expanding on the Forty-Five universe and even with the odd hiccup it was in my eyes a successful continuation. Even if you havent read Forty-Five this book is very reader friendly and an exciting jump into something new.
rating: 4