There are two universal truths in today’s rapidly changing comics industry. The first is that Junji Ito is the defining artist of our time. Second, more people than ever are reading horror comics and webtoons (aka vertical scrolling comics). Therefore, we at Comics Beat have chosen to embark on a new venture called Beat’s Bizarre Halloventure. Each week through October, three writers will recommend their favorite scary books and series from Japan, Korea, and more. This time we’ll be featuring scary themes such as the “sea”! 1920 American Prohibition Era! Zombie capitalism!
children of the sea
Writer/Artist: Daisuke Igarashi
Translation: JN Production
Lettering: Jose Macacocal
Publisher: VIZ
Daisuke Igarashi is one of the most interesting manga artists working today, conveying unforgettable stories in his unique watercolor style. A story that aims to leave you with emotions to overcome, rather than an answer that wraps everything up in a nice little ribbon. There’s no better example of Igarashi’s five-volume epic, Children of the Sea, which puts more emphasis on adventure than destination.
The story follows Ruki as he meets two brothers around his age who grew up at sea. Something mysterious is happening to them and to other fish in the world’s oceans. It’s up to Ruki to figure that out. When I first read this series, the first thing that struck me was the incredible cinematic feel of Igarashi’s panel layout. This book felt like a movie before it was an actual movie. There’s an exciting yet slow and deliberate sense of pacing that allows the world to breathe and the characters and atmosphere to take over the story.
All of Igarashi’s works are worth hunting down, but Children of the Sea is special. I remember being shocked by the ending the first time I cleared the game. Although he hasn’t been able to completely shake off those thoughts, when he takes a closer look at his own thoughts and feelings, Igarashi creates an unknown experience that moves readers and leaves them grappling with what it ultimately means. I was able to understand that they wanted to provide this. I think that’s great.
Please read this book. No one does what this person does. — Derrick Crowe
drunk bullet
Writer/Artist: Yanagi Takauchi
Translation: Ella Barton
Lettering: Rafael Zaratz
Editing: MediBang Co., Ltd.
Platform: Manga Plus
The manga “Drunk Bullet” by Yanagi Takauchi began serialization on Shonen Jump+ in June 2024. Set in the turbulent aftermath of World War I, the story follows Gary, a hard-drinking ex-soldier who returns to America. Before you know it, you find yourself in the turmoil of prohibition. Combining action, humor, and unusual historical context, this fast-paced series has already carved out its own niche in the comic book world.
The story begins with Gary discovering the harsh reality that alcohol is prohibited in America. Looking for a way to quench his thirst, fate introduces him to Paul and Delphine, brothers who run a restaurant that secretly serves alcohol to patrons. Their quiet life is shattered when a gang appears demanding alcohol and forces Delphine to bargain. As a result of this incident, Gary and Paul become bounty hunters and are forced to go on the run as an adventure beyond the border awaits them. Along the way, they visit different locations and sample the best local drinks, avoiding danger and chasing their next drink.
Drunk Bullet deftly combines historical context and silly yet endearing characters to make it more than just an action-packed adventure. The Prohibition-era setting not only adds intrigue but also a deeper context beyond the brawls and banter. Drunk Bullet’s focus on alcoholic beverages unfolds like an adventurous tasting tour through 1920s America. Cameo appearances by real beverages such as Molson’s Canadian Beer add a fun atmosphere.
Drunk Bullet’s blend of action and humor feels both familiar and fresh, drawing comparisons to classics like Gintama, with its fast-paced silliness and memorable fight scenes. Gary is the equivalent of Vash the Stampede (Trigun), a drunken lost soul, while Mona, the foul-mouthed getaway driver, is the equivalent of Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop. It creates such a strong atmosphere. Mr. Yanagi’s art is also a highlight. The exquisite details in every scene, especially the drinks, make them look mesmerizingly realistic. The characters’ quirks and engaging storylines made me want to know how they would deal with the dangers of 1920s Chicago and beyond. — Ilgin Said Soysar
tokyo zombie
Writer/Artist: Yusaku Hanakuma
Translation: Ryan Sands
Lettering and retouching: Evan Hayden
Editing: Ryan Sand, Colin Turner
Publisher: Last Gasp
There’s nothing quite like zombies like Yusaku Hanakuma’s “Tokyo Zombie.” Sure, there are stranger ones, definitely more gory ones, and perhaps even funnier ones. But Hanakuma combines all three of these things to make Tokyo Zombie one of the wildest and silliest horror manga ever made.
There’s no point in explaining the plot of the manga. On the outskirts of Tokyo, there is a huge garbage mountain called Dark Fuji, where everyone throws away everything from trash to industrial waste and (of course) the living and the dead. From this dastardly combination, the dead rise from the garbage dump to plague Tokyo. Fujio and Mitsuo, both factory workers and amateur jiu-jitsu practitioners, try to fight their way out of the city. Then, Mitsuo gets bitten on a snack run.
What happens next is completely unexpected for a zombie story after the solemn seriousness of “The Walking Dead.” There is still social commentary on survivors creating new worlds from this strange new paradigm. However, in “Tokyo Zombie,” those in power not only force the lower classes to run generators, but also force them to do menial labor such as laundry. There’s no TV, no culture, and no Jacuzzi, so the only entertainment is fighting zombies. A slave, a former wrestler, and an amateur fighter fight a zombie wearing an animal mask who is also a former fighter. It’s all ridiculous.
In Tokyo Zombie, Hanakuma creates a world where every weird idea you can think of fits naturally. His visual style, which he calls Hetauma (meaning “bad but good”), lends itself to gory visuals, comedy, and even fight sequences. There’s the gruesome violence you’d expect from a zombie story, but this is a comic book, so limbs and heads are comically cut off. Hanakuma himself is a martial artist, so the fights in this film are not only technically accurate, but also visually thrilling. Thanks to Ryan Sands’ translation, this book is laugh-out-loud funny. Every page contains gags and lines that will make you laugh.
Amidst all the weirdness and violence are some harsh social commentary. Even before the zombie apocalypse, poor people had a tough life. Then things got even worse. Things were bad before the zombie apocalypse, and things will get even worse after. Their exploitation feels bizarre in this book (human-powered generators, folks), but especially in the past four post-pandemic years, its outlandishness feels real. “Tokyo Zombie” may be a strange and interesting manga filled with over-the-top violence and sex. But it’s also a horror story with realistic parts. — D. Morris
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